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A The prominent economic adviser to the prime minister of Japan says Tokyo should prepare for a “leaderless era” as America’s global leadership gradually fades, and expand other strategic ties while strengthening its security alliance with Washington.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga wasted little time congratulating President-elect Joe Biden on last week’s election victory, despite Donald Trump’s refusal to budge, saying he wanted to strengthen the alliance and ensure peace and prosperity. in the Indo-Pacific region.
But concerns about America’s inward turn have simmered in Japan for years, intensifying in the face of China’s growing military and economic assertiveness and lingering throughout the Trump presidency.
For Suga’s adviser, Takeshi Niinami, CEO of beverage giant Suntory Holdings Ltd and a regular acquaintance on the international business circuit, Biden’s promises to reestablish ties with international institutions and allies are welcome.
But Niinami hopes that America’s influence will continue to decline relative to China, as Biden faces deep internal divisions in the United States after the elections, so Japan must expand its pressure for multiple partnerships.
“We have to make a mark in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and in India,” he said, while at the same time “we must explore more relations with the United States in the security space.”
In a separate statement issued shortly after Biden’s election victory, Niinami said, “I think it is inevitable that America’s world leadership will wither away in the long run.”
“Japan must continue to deepen the alliance between the United States and Japan, but at the same time establish its relationship with the world to prepare for a leaderless era.”
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