Cheney Urges Japan to Play Global Role : Diplomacy: He calls for ‘responsibility sharing’ by Tokyo to help foster democracy and economic growth in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union.

Japan must shed its historic reluctance to play a part in global political affairs and should become engaged in a broad range of international security matters, Defense Secretary Dick Cheney said here Friday.

In a speech ostensibly designed to articulate U.S. foreign policy goals in Asia, Cheney prodded Japan to assume a greater role in fostering democracy and economic growth in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, as well as in other challenges facing the industrialized world.

Japan must take on a greater share of its “global leadership responsibilities,” including economic aid for the emerging nations of Eastern Europe and assisting in the conversion of the Soviet economy from its heavy emphasis on military production, Cheney said.

His remarks echoed similar comments by Secretary of State James A. Baker III, who two weeks ago in Tokyo urged Japan to use its economic might to play a more prominent role on the world stage.

In a speech before the Foreign Correspondents Club in Tokyo, Cheney introduced the concept of “responsibility sharing,” which, he said, “refers to the notion of Japan as a major world economic power with enormous influence taking on some of the political responsibilities that go with it.”

“The rest of the world will increasingly look to Japan to participate in resolving major global issues,” he said. These include: rebuilding the shattered economies of Eastern Europe; moving China, Cambodia and Vietnam toward democracy; halting North Korea’s nuclear weapons development, and enforcing free-trade regimes around the world.

Cheney and Baker articulated the new Administration line in the wake of President Bush’s abrupt decision this month to postpone a trip to Asia. Bush now plans to visit Asian capitals in early January.

The defense secretary made explicit reference to the 50th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which will be observed in ceremonies in Hawaii on Dec. 7. “We have come very far, indeed, since that terrible and historic hour,” he said. “Today, the U.S.-Japan partnership has become the cornerstone of American security policy in Asia. We stand together to promote democracy, respect for other nations and a global free market.”

Cheney praised Japan’s $13-billion contribution to the military coalition that fought the Persian Gulf War. He noted that Japan had sent minesweepers to the Gulf, the first time since the end of World War II that Japan had deployed military forces beyond its immediate vicinity. But he pointedly did not urge Tokyo to expand its military activities, which are constitutionally limited to defense of its home islands and its sea lanes of commerce.

The Pentagon chief said the United States would remain actively engaged militarily in Asia, despite a gradual drawdown of its forces stationed here. The U.S. garrison in Japan, numbering about 56,000, will remain indefinitely, both to defend Japan against external threats and to further American security interests in the region and beyond, he said. U.S. Marines on the Japanese island of Okinawa were among the first Americans to be dispatched to Saudi Arabia during the buildup for the war against Iraq.

In the speech, Cheney noted the decision announced this week in Seoul to suspend further troop cuts in South Korea because of North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear weapons. He referred to Pyongyang’s “40-year history of aggression, terrorism and irresponsible weapons sales” as adding to the concerns raised by its nuclear weapons program.

He urged Japan to continue its pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions by withholding diplomatic recognition and economic aid until Pyongyang agrees to international inspection of its nuclear production facilities.

While noting U.S. intentions to reduce America’s overall force levels in the region, Cheney sought to reassure Asian allies that the United States is firmly committed to regional security.