‘Japan Seeks World Influence’

An Arabic proverb warns, “If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow.” This was brought to mind while reading “Japan Foresees a Joint Global Role With U.S.” (Part I, Feb. 4).

In its foreign affairs and diplomatic efforts, the United States has often deserved a prize as the boob of the moment but not so poignantly as in the case of Japan. After sustaining a near-fatal blow on the day of infamy, America overcame an intransigent enemy in some of the bloodiest battles known to man. Nevertheless, from that point forward, we progressively restored its sovereignty and economic well-being.

At the same time, Japan subjected American business to unconscionable restrictions. The Japanese convinced successive U.S. Administrations to allow their goods open access to our lucrative markets. However, trade was neither free, fair nor reciprocal. Unbelievably, U.S. representatives continue to applaud the arrangement. Using every trick in the book, aided and abetted by official agencies of the Japanese government, their economy gained advantages of astounding proportions. Without exaggeration, it has reached the point where unilateral action by Japan can produce the immediate economic collapse of the United States. That threat is now being exercised to expand the global influence of the Rising Sun.

The question is, “Why does Japan need a global role with the United States?” The answer is obvious: Japan needs America’s worldwide military and diplomatic machinery to serve its selfish purposes. Already, we have been used to protect Japan’s oil interests in the Middle East. In trade talks, America does its best to convince other trading partners to subscribe to the same stupidity with Japan as the U.S.

The final indignity is Japan’s recent public criticism of a litany of American problems ranging from narcotics to the huge budget deficit. I submit, the entire camel now occupies the tent.

TED ROGERS

San Diego