India and Japan: News and Discussion

[Prem]

No choice but need to hire from abroad?
( but from where , onlee India will have spare professionals)

http://sibylleito.wordpress.com/2010/09 ... om-abroad/

When you think about a multicultural/international working environment I believe most of you agree with me that a multinational Japanese company would not pop up in your mind. Gradually Japanese companies seem to move towards a multinational approach due to market demands that cannot be met locally.For example Uniqlo (major apparel company) and the chemical maker Toray Industries Inc. are expanding their business alliance for joint development of Heat Tech. (Heat Tech: Rather thin thermo clothes or underwear, which became a huge sales hit locally.) Heat Tech is presented as advanced fiber technology in Japan, but it was actually developed by Chinese researchers abroad at a center Toray set up in Nantong in China. It seems that Chinese universities generate more competent workers for the textile industry, which are then hired at the Toray research center, who has 200 such graduates working with them.
Another example of a more international approach is IHI Corp., who started hiring young South Koreans graduates, because the basic academic skills of Japanese science and engineering majors have weakened.

[Manishw]

India, Japan crank up defence ties

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... z10npnGIA9

[Prem]

More than defence ties , we need this NOW!! In 2002 they promised to do by 2010 ane i have been dreaming since . Estimetd Indian reserves were once quoted as17kTCM( not TCF)

http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/ ... ts-shores/
Japan Will Drill for Methane Off Its Shores

Japan will attempt to tap frozen methane gas deposits off its southeast coast by drilling a series of deep-sea test wells early next year, the Guardian newspaper reported on Monday.The project will assess the commercial viability of tapping the deposits, called methane hydrates, which lie below thousands of feet of seawater and sediment. The drilling will be done by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, in association with the Japanese government. The Japanese Ministry of Trade has requested more than $1 billion for the project, slated to begin in the spring.
In 2008, Japanese engineers extracted methane from hydrate deposits nearly a mile beneath the Canadian tundra, in what was hailed as a major breakthrough in the field. The Japanese government has declared its intention to commercially tap methane hydrates by 2018.India and China have discovered huge frozen methane deposits off their own coasts, and both countries are seeking ways to develop the finds into commercially exploitable energy sources.The environmental risks posed by undersea hydrates alarm some scientists and environmentalists, however. Potential dangers involve inadvertently setting off undersea landslides, which could wipe out nearby seafloor life, and uncontrollable methane leaks from destabilized gas and hydrate formations.

[Karan Dixit]

India and Japan will hold talks on military cooperation Wednesday here, which is the first of its kind, reported Kolkata-based newspaper The Telegraph on Tuesday.

Indian and Japanese military delegations are led by two officers of the rank of major general. The two sides will draw up calendar for joint exercises and exchange of information, the newspaper quoted unnamed sources as saying.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001 ... 53579.html

[RajeshA]

The Minute By Minute Account of Japan-China Row

Published on Sep 29, 2010
Conditions were ripe for an escalating dispute with China: Asahi Shimbun

Prime Minister Naoto Kan is a soft ass. Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara is the man, who can put Japan on the right path.

[chetak]

From B Raman, FWIW.

LINK

India visualises itself as an Asian power on par with China. Beijing does not see it this way. China views India as a sub-regional Asian power and wants to keep its influence restricted to its immediate neighbourhood. US president Barack Obama's visit to China has uncomfortably brought out to India that there is a convergence of perceptions between China and the Obama Administration on the limited regional role of India.

China's pre-eminence has been recognised by Obama. Obama has re-hyphenated India-Pakistan relations and quietly relegated India to the role of a sub-regional power whose aspirations of having a status on par with China are unrealistic.

In geopolitical matters, there is no futuristic thinking in India. The quality of Indian thinking and analysis -- strategic and tactical -- is poor. What passes for analysis in India is just wishful-thinking.

Nobody in India has realised and brought out that for the first time the US, Japan and Australia have a leadership which does not rate highly India's potential as an emerging power. There is less and less talk of Chindia. Even today, many in India are not aware that the new Japanese government is not as enthusiastic about India as the previous government was. There has been no exercise in India to analyse future scenarios in US-Japan relationship.

[JE Menon]

^^^ Seems a bit extreme, and perhaps a bit uncharitable. But he has great access, so he is certainly more plugged in...

[chetak]

^^^ Seems a bit extreme, and perhaps a bit uncharitable. But he has great access, so he is certainly more plugged in...

He is most certainly right.

For decades, we have let miscellaneous considerations divert us from our supreme national interest.

We need less political space to nutters and more to serious minded cohesive nationalists. We have this exaggerated opinion of ourselves in the international arena that is peddled by mediocre journos catering to the non voting middle class.

Our national thought processes should have been focused and strategic in nature, content and intent but sadly it has been driven by short term ill advised tactical and tainted political considerations.

[shyamd]

Ultimately it will be problems with China or strategic interest that will push Japan and India together as partners. Whether now or later. All it takes is one incident with Japan for the Japanese FM to take the first flight out to Nai Dilli.

Also, if Japan ignores India, well its their loss because India is the next superpower, if God willing economic growth continues. As I said, Strategic and economic interest will bring them together, its only a matter of time.

[VinodTK]

Japanese PM Naoto Kan warns of China's military rise

"The rise of China has been remarkable in recent years," Mr Kan told Japan's parliament.

"But we are concerned about its strengthening defence capabilities without transparency and accelerating maritime activities spanning from the Indian Ocean to the East China Sea."

[Sanjay M]

From B Raman, FWIW.

LINK

...
Nobody in India has realised and brought out that for the first time the US, Japan and Australia have a leadership which does not rate highly India's potential as an emerging power. There is less and less talk of Chindia. Even today, many in India are not aware that the new Japanese government is not as enthusiastic about India as the previous government was. There has been no exercise in India to analyse future scenarios in US-Japan relationship.

What does he mean "for the first time"?? This has always been the view held by all of them.

Certainly though, looking like a basketcase doesn't attract much confidence from the rest of the world, and in fact only attracts derision and predation.

This is why India needs to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk, if it's going to seriously deter would-be predators, and force them to come to the table. Even countries much smaller than India don't feel intimidated by us.

Also, if Japan ignores India, well its their loss because India is the next superpower, if God willing economic growth continues. As I said, Strategic and economic interest will bring them together, its only a matter of time.

People who keep saying, "I'm going to be the next superpower" don't have a strong history of becoming such powers. People who keep saying, "We have to keep working hard, because we're not very strong" are usually the ones who end up as the next big power.

[Karan Dixit]

The circumstances in which the two countries are conducting their fighter procurements could hardly be more different. A buoyant India has breezed into the marketplace, while Japan still hovers unsurely by the gate, dithering over what it's actually come here to buy. The nub of the difference is that the Indian selection is not constrained by politics - they have a free hand with which to buy the best plane under the best possible terms. The Japanese decision, by contrast, is severely circumscribed by political

http://atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/LJ05Df02.html

[RajeshA]

X-Posted from Managing Chinese Threat Thread

Published on Oct 04, 2010
By Jayanth Jacob
Destination Africa for India, Japan: Hindustan Times

The first meeting of the India-Japan dialogue on Africa to be held in Tokyo on Tuesday and Wednesday will kick off the countries’ effort to synchronise strategies in that continent. While China has a lead in Africa, both Tokyo and New Delhi have been devising ways to leverage their presence there.

The Indian team going to the meet will be headed by joint secretary in-charge of Africa in the Ministry of External Affairs Gurjit Singh. The idea was first discussed when Japanese foreign Minister Katsuya Okada visited India in August this year.

But India and Japan have reservations over China’s mission Africa. India and Japan import almost most of their crude requirement from the Middle East while China imports 32 per cent of its oil from Africa, and more than 60 per cent of Chinese direct investment in the continent goes to oil-producing nations such as Angola and Nigeria.

Apart from the huge investments in oil sectors and mines, China has invested $10b in concessional loans over the next three years along with other measures aimed at strengthening African-Chinese ties.

India has pledged $5.4 billion in the next five years, and will provide preferential market access for exports from all 50 least developed countries, including 34 from Africa.

Japan had said it would double its aid to Africa by 2012, including $4 billion in soft, flexible loans for infrastructure projects. It will also give $2.5 billion fund to boost private investment through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.

It seems Indo-Japanese relations are about to enter a period of active synergy. There is no arguing that the loss of status as Asia's biggest economy and recent harassment of Japan on the release of the trawler captain, is helping Japan see the world in new light, and a need to look for credible allies in Asia.

[Hari Seldon]

^^^ Seems a bit extreme, and perhaps a bit uncharitable. But he has great access, so he is certainly more plugged in...

Good point. I hope his sources include the current thinking within the GOI establishment.

All is not lost if the establishment becomes aware of reality and takes corrective measures. Our H&D grinding further into dust is no harm done in real terms if it spurs even a modicum of new thinking and acceptance of change. Etc etc. Jai ho.

[RajeshA]

X-Posting from Managing Chinese Threat Thread

Published on October 7th, 2010
By Srinath Raghavan
A yen for Japan: Deccan Chronicle

Last year, India and Japan concluded agreements for an ambitious $77 billion Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor project. The corridor spanning six states is projected as a global manufacturing and trading hub — one that will foster closer economic and commercial relations between the two countries. Other areas of emerging cooperation include renewable energy and ecologically sustainable urban spaces.
The state of the two economies — one a massive economy in prolonged stagnation with an ageing workforce, and the other a swiftly growing economy with a projected youth “bulge” — is propelling much of this forward. But the wider political and strategic context needs to be noted as well. Indeed, the relationship with Japan highlights the tightening nexus between India’s economic and foreign policies.

[RajeshA]

Published on Oct 14, 2010
By Chico Harlan
Japan to consider relaxing weapons export ban: Washington Post

Japan will consider relaxing its long-standing ban on weapons exports as the country explores ways to bolster its military capabilities, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said in an interview Thursday.

The move reflects concern among some Japanese leaders that Japan is falling behind in security and weapons technology, even amid potential threats from China and North Korea.

But signs are growing that Maehara and other officials might be seeking a more muscular approach to defense, even as Tokyo tightens its alliance with the United States. Maehara emphasized that reconsideration of the weapons export ban is not connected to a recent spat with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea. The newly appointed foreign minister mentioned, instead, Japan's desire to participate in multi-nation technology projects - something it cannot do under its "three principles" policy, which ban arms exports.

There is also the matter of differences regarding Iran. Japan withdrew from an oil-drilling project in Iran this month, bowing to U.S. pressure to impose sanctions over Tehran's nuclear development program. Since Japan's Inpex Corp. backed away from the Azadegan oil field project, however, China National Offshore Oil Co. has worked to fill the void.

"That portion that Japan gave up was taken up by China," Maehara said.

Japan's ban on weapons exports dates to 1967, when then-Prime Minister Eisaku Sato established the three principles, prohibiting arms deals with communist bloc countries, countries subject to embargo under U.N. resolutions and countries involved in international conflicts. Nine years later, those three principles were tightened into a near-absolute ban on weapons exports - though exceptions are made for one-on-one dealings with the United States.

At a meeting in Hanoi this week, Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa expressed his desire for a major overhaul of the three principles. The perfect opportunity, he said, will come at the end of the year, when Japan reviews its national defense posture.

"We should not just sit and watch domestic defense production bases and technological platforms deteriorate in a situation in which we are bound hand and foot," Kitazawa told reporters, according to the Mainichi Daily News.

But Kan said Tuesday that he does not want to revise the three principles.

So the Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa want to open the Japanese Defense Industry to the wider world for both exports and joint development and production, whereas Prime Minister Naoto Kan wants to keep the current ban on exports.

I am not sure whether A.K. Antony met his Japanese counterpart in Hanoi, but it could be Delhi may also have impressed upon Tokyo, that it would be beneficial for both the countries to cooperate on defense matters and joint development of the next generation weapon systems.

[RajeshA]

Published on Oct 15, 2010
By C. Raja Mohan
Looking beyond borders: Khaleej Times

As it seeks to revive its stagnant economy, Japan wants to review its long-standing ban on exporting arms. The Japanese defence minister, Toshimi Kitazawa, said the self-imposed restraint has prevented Japan’s defence industry from participating in joint international technological development and has shut it out of the lucrative defence business.

Previous attempts at lifting the ban on arms exports had failed because of domestic political opposition. Nor is it guaranteed now that Kitazawa will succeed. If he does, Delhi should be ready to move quickly towards defence industrial collaboration with Tokyo.

[Prem]

http://www.japantoday.com/category/poli ... with-japan
India rejects clause on nuclear tests in civilian pact with Japan

TOKYO —
India has rejected a proposal by Japan to include in a bilateral civilian nuclear cooperation pact a clause that Tokyo would halt nuclear energy cooperation if New Delhi conducts a nuclear test, Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Tuesday. ‘‘I hear India has not been convinced’’ by Japan’s proposal, Maehara said at a press conference.The two countries held the second round of working-level talks last week on concluding a bilateral civilian nuclear energy treaty, which would enable Japanese firms to export nuclear power generation technology and related equipment to India. Maehara said he has instructed Japanese officials to accelerate negotiations for the nuclear pact with India based on Tokyo’s position of halting its cooperation under the treaty in the event New Delhi conducts a nuclear test.

Read the comments

[RajeshA]

India rejects clause on nuclear tests in civilian pact with Japan

Read the comments

My comments to the Article

Japan should not insist with India on clauses in the civilian nuclear agreement which require India to keep India's unilateral ban on nuclear testing.

Looking from the Indian PoV, India is a country that has never attacked another country. Pakistan has attacked India 4 times - In 1948 by sending Pushtun tribals into Kashmir, which had legally become part of India as per the convention accepted by Pakistan itself. In 1965 again in a blatant attack by Pakistan without zero provocation. In 1971 Pakistan caused a major refugee crisis in the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, and committed genocide of over 3 million Bangladeshis. In 1999 Pakistan took over Indian land in Kargil in Kashmir area, which precipitated a conflict.
People's Republic of China attacked India in 1962 in an attack which India did not expect in the least, because India considered China a friendly country. That is the story of 63 years of Indian Independence.

India has to live in a neighborhood where a nuclear armed and belligerent Pakistan supports Islamic terrorism in India - Mumbai 26/11/08 attacks being just one example. India also faces a much bigger challenge in China, which has many nuclear armed missiles stationed on the Tibet border to India. It was China that tested and proliferated nuclear weapons to Pakistan, so Pakistani nukes are tested.

India would not like to be pushed into a position, where India's freedom to respond to the security challenges imposed on us is curtailed. The 1.2 billion strong Indian democracy would not allow it.

India considers Japan a friend. We can learn a lot from the Japanese, but the Japanese should not try to teach India the rules of international morality. India has a strong moral and democratic base, and we were speaking of nuclear disarmament from our independence onwards. But we are not willing to accept nuclear discrimination, where Chinese nuclear weapons are acceptable but Indian nukes are not.

Both India and Japan face a situation in Asia where it is important to ensure that China remains a good citizen (not that it has been up till now, considering its proliferation record). It would require the combined efforts of all Asian powers - Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, India, etc. to contain Chinese hegemonic tendencies. For that it is important, that each of these countries achieve their fullest potential in military and political strength, and together achieve immunity from Chinese bullying. It is not good if Japan tries to curtail Indian strategic freedom, because that way the whole front against Chinese hegemony suffers.

USA is in major retreat. Its financial strength has been weakened. Its military strength will follow suit. It would be immature from Japan to put all its eggs in US basket. American nuclear umbrella over Japan would last may be another 10-15 years, beyond which it will lose its credibility because of US-Chinese power equation. Japan needs to keep its strategic freedom intact also. With its pacifist laws, Japan has in fact made itself vulnerable to Chinese bullying, thereby increasing the danger to peace in East Asia.

Suppose there comes a situation one day, where China sends in its forces into Senkaku islands and take them over. Or for that matter even Okinawa. Japan retaliates. US dithers. China attacks mainland Japan to frighten it for once and all into submission. Now China would not have done such adventurism if China knew Japan could retaliate with nuclear weapons. That situation would have been far more conducive to peace in East Asia.

Let's say Japanese public is still drunk with Pacifist Kool-Aid in times of tensions between Japan and China. Japan deems it necessary to go nuclear to prevent Chinese adventurism. Japan has the technology but needs to test those nuclear weapons to see if they work. How will Japan test? Where will Japan test? May be in such a situation India could be of help and could test for Japan! Would Japan really like to curtail its own strategic freedom for the future by trying to put into writing a ban on testing by India.

India has a voluntary moratorium on testing. It would remain so, as long as our strategic situation does not worsens with respect to China. India needs her strategic freedom should it happen, and would not be able to agree to its curtailment through Japan. No agreement is worth it. If Japan insists there is going to be no agreement with India, and a possible future of cooperation between India and Japan in preserving the peace in Asia would not be possible.

The Japanese need some discussion amongst themselves what their strategic challenges are and how they should deal with them. The age of moral grandstanding is drawing to a close. There are new challenges on Asia's horizon, which need to be met with level-headed thinking. Till now Japanese behavior has been disappointing and naive.

The Senkaku Islands incident with the Chinese trawler captain was just a foretaste.

[Christopher Sidor]

Can you monitor Japanese news outlets like Ashahi Shimbun etc.?

I monitored japanese news outlets till the end of september-2010. From what I have read, as articles and other forums (translated with the help of google), Japan considers India as an important player. But not for their defense purposes. They are extremely oriented towards the americans, whom they see as their guardians. Off course with American help they do not need to look towards India now or in the medium term.

What is surprising though is that they want good relations with India, but the nuclear issue keeps cropping up in the middle. Also none of them have advocated or see India as a counter measure to China. This makes me wonder, are we Indians seeing Japanese through the Chinese prism? We know that China and Japan have some serious issues to work out between them.

Please note that this is what is available in the public domain. I have not been able to see ALL their newspapers, due to language constraints.

[RajeshA]

X-Posting from India Nuclear News And Discussion Thread

Published on Oct 15, 2010
By James M. Acton
Japan-India nuclear deal: Striking a balance: Asahi Shimbun

Indeed, Okada's tentative approach seems to reflect the bureaucracy's assumption that Japan is entering negotiations with a weak hand.

They are wrong. Japan has considerable leverage.

Japan has special expertise in manufacturing large and complicated components for both reactor vessels and steam generators (which convert steam into electricity). Indeed, three out of the four modern American and French reactors contain at least one component that can be manufactured in Japan and nowhere else. If India wants to buy any of them, it needs an agreement with Japan.

Of course, Japan's monopoly of supply is unlikely to last forever. But, the very fact that France and United States have been pushing Japan to conclude an agreement is strong evidence that they believe there is no alternative supplier on the horizon.

In contrast, Japan stands to gain little from an agreement.

The anti-Indian Nuclear Ayotallahs just don't give up!

[Varoon Shekhar]

Rajesh, almost needless to say, your comment was far and away the most thoughtful and comprehensive in that message board. It would be nice to see Indians get on these forums and tell the Japanese not to look at India through the eyes of American non-proliferationists like Gary Milholin. Rather, as the world's most populous and complex free state, that has to deal with two countries, China and Pakistan, that are non-democracies or military oligarchies possessing nuclear weapons.

It does look like many if not most Japanese find the China factor in India's calculations incomprehensible or unacceptable. Why is that? You would think they would be very sympathetic, but they don't seem to be. One wonders if there's a strong Sinophilic sentiment among the Japanese stemming from economic ties, cultural similarities, racial similiarities or even geo-political considerations i.e Japan and China both had a concern about Russian moves in the Pacific.

Indians can certainly respect and acknowledge the genuine heartfelt, soulful outpourings of the Nagasaki and Hiroshima survivors and their descendants. But the rest of the Japanese objectors, don't know about those guys.

[svinayak]

Also none of them have advocated or see India as a counter measure to China. This makes me wonder, are we Indians seeing Japanese through the Chinese prism? We know that China and Japan have some serious issues to work out between them.

China is seen as a trading partner due to US influence and Japan has similar agreement with the global banking and MNC elite. China is not seen really as a threat and they are willing to work with China no matter what. India is not seen as adding any value. Trading opportunity with China is more dominant than any alliance with India.
Nuclear issue with India is not seen in terms of China but as a trading agreement with the western partners which needs to be reconciled with Japan internal policy of Nuclear issue.

[Varoon Shekhar]

^^^

How parochial and shallow can the Japanese be? Very disappointing.

[JE Menon]

RajeshA - an outeffingstanding comment there boss! If any Japanese bureaucrat or politician reads it, he/she will have pause for thought. Don't be surprised if you find one or two of these ideas regurgitated in public by some official/semi-official sooner rather than later...

[RajeshA]

JE Menon saar,

Thanks!

In the data jungle many things go under onlee! Who knows?!

[Prem]

Japan rallies against China over disputed islands
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101016/ts_ ... a_protests

TOKYO (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters marched through Tokyo on Saturday to demonstrate against what they called China's invasion of disputed islands that both countries claim.This was the second major anti-China rally in Japan since ties between Asia's top economies worsened last month when Japan detained a Chinese trawler captain whose boat collided with Japanese patrol ships near the disputed islands -- called Senkaku in Japan and Diayu in China.More than 2,000 protesters gathered in Aoyama Park, which is built on what was once a military shooting range, on Saturday afternoon. They marched through the busy Roppongi district to the Chinese Embassy, holding up Japanese flags and shouting slogans."The Senkaku islands belong to me and every Japanese. I am angry as our belongings were stolen," said a 23 year-old student, Masato Yoshida.One of the organizers of the rally was Toshio Tamogami, a former air force chief who was sacked after publishing an essay that argued that Japan was not an aggressor in World War Two.He also organized an October 3 rally in which around 2,700 people took part, criticizing China and blasting Prime Minister Naoto Kan's handling of the territorial dispute.Critics charged that Kan caved in to pressure from Beijing to release the captain of the fishing trawler.

[Prem]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/world ... .html?_r=1
Japan, Once Dynamic, Is Disheartened by Decline

Japan used to be so flashy and upbeat, but now everyone must live in a dark and subdued way,” said Masato, 49, who asked that his full name not be used because he still cannot repay the $110,000 that he owes on the mortgage. Few nations in recent history have seen such a striking reversal of economic fortune as Japan. The original Asian success story, Japan rode one of the great speculative stock and property bubbles of all time in the 1980s to become the first Asian country to challenge the long dominance of the West. But the bubbles popped in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Japan fell into a slow but relentless decline that neither enormous budget deficits nor a flood of easy money has reversed. For nearly a generation now, the nation has been trapped in low growth and a corrosive downward spiral of prices, known as deflation, in the process shriveling from an economic Godzilla to little more than an afterthought in the global economy. Now, as the United States and other Western nations struggle to recover from a debt and property bubble of their own, a growing number of economists are pointing to Japan as a dark vision of the future. Even as the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, prepares a fresh round of unconventional measures to stimulate the economy, there are growing fears that the United States and many European economies could face a prolonged period of slow growth or even, in the worst case, deflation, something not seen on a sustained basis outside Japan since the Great Depression.

( Indian market is huge and once mature has the potential to revive Nippon economy.If Japan keep showing Nakhra with Nuke deal then it might be good idea to postpone MMS visit to Japan to show them that their shenanigans are meaningess to India. They can enjoy the love from China when they come calling to evenge WW2 atrocities)

[jiteshn]

Japan is happy with the protection it receives under US's shadow. They have given up fighting long time ago. Hiroshima and nagasaki broke them up really nice. The security aspect is not yet up for discussion for the japanese people.

Regarding the nuclear equipment... Get what you can from the japanese and the rest from other countries. Consider work on indigenous for those parts we cannot find.

The japanese might be the only one's who manufacture some parts. But we can surely get the designs of these parts from other countries. We can manufacture them ourselves.

There are some things that india will never do. The japanese will either accept that fact or they won't.

[Christopher Sidor]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/world ... .html?_r=1
Japan, Once Dynamic, Is Disheartened by Decline

Japan used to be so flashy and upbeat, but now everyone must live in a dark and subdued way,” said Masato, 49, who asked that his full name not be used because he still cannot repay the $110,000 that he owes on the mortgage. Few nations in recent history have seen such a striking reversal of economic fortune as Japan. The original Asian success story, Japan rode one of the great speculative stock and property bubbles of all time in the 1980s to become the first Asian country to challenge the long dominance of the West. But the bubbles popped in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Japan fell into a slow but relentless decline that neither enormous budget deficits nor a flood of easy money has reversed. For nearly a generation now, the nation has been trapped in low growth and a corrosive downward spiral of prices, known as deflation, in the process shriveling from an economic Godzilla to little more than an afterthought in the global economy. Now, as the United States and other Western nations struggle to recover from a debt and property bubble of their own, a growing number of economists are pointing to Japan as a dark vision of the future. Even as the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, prepares a fresh round of unconventional measures to stimulate the economy, there are growing fears that the United States and many European economies could face a prolonged period of slow growth or even, in the worst case, deflation, something not seen on a sustained basis outside Japan since the Great Depression.

( Indian market is huge and once mature has the potential to revive Nippon economy.If Japan keep showing Nakhra with Nuke deal then it might be good idea to postpone MMS visit to Japan to show them that their shenanigans are meaningess to India. They can enjoy the love from China when they come calling to evenge WW2 atrocities)

Japan has much to offer India, economic and non-economic, barring the nuclear deal. Doing harakiri just for the nuclear deal will not serve our interest. The proposed nuclear deal is not a deal breaker where indo-japanese relations is concerned.
If we do not get our nuclear pact with japan, it is not the end of the world. Rather it will be a reality check for both of our countries. It will make us aware on what can be expected and what can be done. This will be good for us. Foreign Relations based on reality and not some imaginary linkages or some delusional beliefs are more stronger and have a tendency to go deeper.
Do not tie our relationship with japan to a single issue.

[RajeshA]

Do not tie our relationship with japan to a single issue.

This is correct! The Indo-Japanese Nuclear Deal is not an Indian issue. It is upto France and USA to convince the Japanese! Whatever assurances Japanese will, they should get from Paris and Washington!

As long as India does not have the deep pockets to compete with PRC, India would have to partner with Japan for acquisition of mines and Oil & Gas reserves in Africa and elsewhere! We also need the Japanese to invest in Indian infrastructure, but also elsewhere to limit the influence of PRC.

India needs a country with deep pockets, to support India's strategic agenda!

[JE Menon]

>>In the data jungle many things go under onlee

Have to disagree with you there. Original thoughts, twists and nuances are desperately sought after

[SSridhar]

Talks on civil nuclear pact with India will continue: Japan

India must, and will, stand firm on this. It is not going to give any more guarantees to Japan than what it has already assured the world community since 1998.

Japan “has no intention to call off negotiations” with India for a pact on civil nuclear cooperation. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh may, in fact, “confirm the current situation” on this issue when they meet in Tokyo for an annual bilateral summit in less than a week's time, Japanese spokesman Hidenobu Sobashima told The Hindu from Tokyo on Monday. “Progress was made” during the two rounds of parleys held so far, but “there are still some areas we need to discuss further.” The talks “will continue” (he said).

“Our position remains the same and we expect further progress” on how to address a scenario of India testing a nuclear weapon once again, said Mr. Sobashima.

New Delhi was already told that Tokyo would find it “difficult” to stay the course of cooperation in such a situation. Japan would then have “no option” but to “suspend” or “stop” such cooperation.

He would “refrain from going into the details of negotiations” held so far. The range of issues at stake includes India's voluntary moratorium on nuclear-weapon tests.

[Christopher Sidor]

^^^
Excellent SSridhar.

We have already given too much for the sake of this nuclear deal. Japan should be told, take it or leave it.

[ramana]

Two important x-posts....

choti muh bari baat sarkar, but I think Japan's debt:gdp ratio is 200%. not sure if these are high interest or low interest debt.

per BBC today for UK its 64% , well below the of the PIIGS

and

Singha Ji Japan had two lost decades and still in danger of falling in the nearest ditch it can find.

I think the last phases of the colonial period saw some nations punch above their weight thinking they can use the Anglo-Saxon model to gain temprorary advantage. I think the fall of Japan is another testament to the futility of colonial dogma. in the post Cold War era the pwoer of nations will again revert to those with resources: natural, demographics and ideas.

[Prem]

Can Prime Minister Singh push through a Nuclear Deal with Japan?
http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/CanPrim ... nda_211010

Japan’s demand is however more stringent. Japan demands that the agreement should have a provision for cessation of nuclear cooperation if India tests another nuclear device. India will have to find another word that will address and assuage Japan’s concern, if the latter brings some element of flexibility to the table.
There seems to be a resolve in the leadership of both countries to reduce disagreements and sort out differences over nuclear proliferation and testing limitations. The internal political dynamics of Japan would suggest that the conservative LDP would have no major objection if the DPJ were to go ahead and fructify the negotiations. It may be remembered that many top DPJ leaders at the helm of decision making were formerly from the LDP and therefore there exists some commonality of views. Though the Social Democrats and the Communists are opposed to such a deal with India, and though the DPJ lost elections to the Upper House a few months ago, the DPJ still holds a majority in the more powerful Lower House and can afford to venture upon a bold initiative. Yet, in view of the sensitive nature of the issue and immense domestic pressure, Japan wants explicit provisions to call off the deal should India conduct another nuclear test. Also, officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kasumegaseki are unwilling to take a positive stand and loosen their bureaucratic stranglehold.
Representatives from both countries met in New Delhi on 8-9 October to thrash out some key differences ahead of Singh’s visit to Tokyo. Though not much headway could be made, the intent became demonstrably clear. A civil cooperation deal would permit Japan to sell its advanced atomic energy equipment and associated technology to India.
The positive aspect of the DPJ’s stance is that it has relaxed its earlier rigid position and is no longer demanding that India join the NPT as a pre-condition for the nuclear pact. What it wants is a “strict guarantee” that India would not deviate from its commitment to non-proliferation. Japan wants a condition to be put in the deal that would debar India from another atomic test in the future.
A nuclear pact between the two countries would facilitate India’s nuclear commerce with France and the US. Both French nuclear major Areva and the US group led by General Electric have sought to sell nuclear reactors to India, but Japanese parts are necessary for this. Japan Steel Works produces reactor vessels used by both companies, and General Electric receives many components from Hitachi Ltd. for its reactor work.
The CEPA with South Korea which took effect on 1 January 2010 and the immediate result of a 70 per cent increase in trade volume between the two countries in the first half of 2010, and India starting negotiations with South Korea on a possible civil nuclear pact have put Japan on notice. Japan fears that it might lose the Indian market to South Korea eventually. Even the India-Japan CEPA is hanging fire after a dozen rounds of negotiations with no breakthrough in sight.
Japan’s nuclear power industry is big business at home. In recent times, it is aspiring to extend its reach overseas. Japan’s three big nuclear technology companies – Toshiba, Hitachi and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries – have built most of the nuclear plants that supply Japan with a quarter of its power. A consortium of six Japanese utilities and nuclear power developers has set up a working group in July 2010 to create a venture at winning orders to build nuclear power plants overseas. They were miffed at losing a nuclear power plant order from the United Arab Emirates to South Korean firms. They blame lack of state help for several recent setbacks including the loss of the right to build Vietnam’s first nuclear plant to Russia’s state-owned nuclear company.

[Prem]

Story of missed opportunities as PM goes to Japan
http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2 ... -japan.htm

The reluctance to exercise political will -- from a missing nuclear accord to unclear parameters around CEPA -- seems to be common both in Delhi and in Tokyo. Back in Japan, Prime Minister Naoto Kan is being accused of passing the buck on promoting the India-Japan relationship, with Kan's critics pointing to his reluctance to push the proposed nuclear deal. In fact, the Japanese media is full of commentary on how the real power behind the throne is chief cabinet secretary Yoshito Senkoku, the 'go-to guy' on all major issues.
From calming the Sino-Japan spat on the Chinese fishing trawler -- Senkoku is believed to have spoken to Chinese state councillor Dai Bingguo, a major power in the Chinese communist party, whom India knows well -- to deciding the seating arrangements of all those attending the banquet in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 25, Senkoku is being touted as the man for all seasons in Tokyo today.Meanwhile, a top business delegation led by Reliance's Mukesh Ambani, has agreed to (it is still unclear if Ratan Tata will go) accompany the PM to Tokyo, but it is still unclear whether the outcome is worth the effort.

[chetak]

Story of missed opportunities as PM goes to Japan
http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2 ... -japan.htm

The reluctance to exercise political will -- from a missing nuclear accord to unclear parameters around CEPA -- seems to be common both in Delhi and in Tokyo. Back in Japan, Prime Minister Naoto Kan is being accused of passing the buck on promoting the India-Japan relationship, with Kan's critics pointing to his reluctance to push the proposed nuclear deal. In fact, the Japanese media is full of commentary on how the real power behind the throne is chief cabinet secretary Yoshito Senkoku, the 'go-to guy' on all major issues.
From calming the Sino-Japan spat on the Chinese fishing trawler -- Senkoku is believed to have spoken to Chinese state councillor Dai Bingguo, a major power in the Chinese communist party, whom India knows well -- to deciding the seating arrangements of all those attending the banquet in honour of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 25, Senkoku is being touted as the man for all seasons in Tokyo today.Meanwhile, a top business delegation led by Reliance's Mukesh Ambani, has agreed to (it is still unclear if Ratan Tata will go) accompany the PM to Tokyo, but it is still unclear whether the outcome is worth the effort.

Why do I get the feeling that these guys always look down upon us??

They have always had a sermonizing attitude towards us that is lacking in their interactions with the pakis.

What they are doing is tantamount to bullying.

[RajeshA]

The Japanese worship Infrastructure, Organized Society, Technology and Geopolitical Power. If they don't see enough of that in India, they will build their opinions accordingly.

Morality and all that jazz, is all immaterial to how the Japanese see us.

[Pulikeshi]

How much of the Japanese posturing is ideological and how much has to do with
the ongoing negotiations on nuclear liability? Only time will tell I guess....