#13 First leaders level Quad summit - Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators - 10th anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster - Suga and Modi hold talks
Here is a brief on biweekly( 1st Mar –15th Mar).
Japan is likely to stage the Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators
Japan mourn the loss of lives on the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Ahead of the Quad summit, Prime Minister Suga and his Indian counterpart Modi agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region over a telephone call
The first-ever leader-level meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue involving Japan, Australia, India and the U.S. was hosted by Joe Biden, President of the U.S. in a virtual summit
Fukushima Anniversary.
On 11 Mar. 2021, Japan mourned the lost lives of people on the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake which severely affected prefectures of Fukushima, Iwate, and Miyagi. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited Fukushima prefecture and pledged to step up reconstruction projects, address disposal of treated radioactive water in the near future. A decade has passed since a massive earthquake triggered a tsunami which in turn caused a nuclear accident costing the lives of 15,000 people.
A recently released United Nations report, says that the radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident has not posed health hazards to the local people. High incidence of thyroid cancer in children living in Fukushima prefecture was reported during the disaster recovery period. The UN experts have found that occurrence of cancer in children could be the effect of higher rates in usage of highly sensitive ultrasound equipment to examine them during that period. Many other health risks were also earlier attributed to the radiation exposure. The UN report released at time when Japan has commemorated the 10th anniversary of the nuclear disaster, negates the link between thyroid cancer and nuclear radiation from Fukushima. While speaking on the effects of atomic radiation, Chairwoman of the UN Scientific Committee Gillian Hearth, said “no adverse health effects among Fukushima residents have been documented that could be directly attributed to radiation exposure from the accident.”
Tokyo Olympics.
It is speculated that the Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to take place between Jul. 23 and Aug. 8, will not be attended by overseas spectators. In its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Japanese government and the Japanese organizing committee are inclined to stage the Tokyo Olympics without overseas spectators. The Tokyo Olympics delay cost is estimated to be around 1.64 trillion yen and the organizing committee was hoping to make 90 billion yen from ticket sales. In a meeting soon to be held with the International Olympic Committee, the Japanese Government, and the organizing committee a formal decision is expected to be made. It is significant to note that the Olympics ceremony will be held in Fukushima’s J-Village soccer training center, which served as a frontline base during the fight against the triple disaster. The training center at Fukushima was chosen by the organizers to show the world Fukushima's recovery from the nuclear disaster.
DIPLOMACY.
In a recent telephonic conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshihide Suga, it was mutually agreed on the need to deepen ties bilaterally and also under the Quad framework to attain Free and Open Indo-Pacific(FOIP), according to the Indian Prime Minister’s Office(PMO). The statement issued by the PMO also said that the two leaders expressed satisfaction in progress made by the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Meanwhile Japan’s Foreign Ministry said, the leaders also discussed on maritime concerns posed by China in the East and South China seas; concerns over situation in Hong Kong, Muslim Uighur minority in China, and Myanmar’s military coup.
The first-ever leader-level Quad summit was attended by the U.S. president Joe Biden, the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the Quad leaders in an online meeting, Modi said, “Focus on vaccines, climate change, emerging tech makes the group a force for global good.” Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Suga said, “we will continue to firmly advance our cooperation to achieve ambitious and concrete results.” The Quad countries also discussed the denuclearization of North Korea, resolution to Japanese national abduction issue. The Quad Leaders’ Joint Statement termed as, “The Spirit of the Quad”, revealed the countries’ desire in redoubling their commitment to Quad engagement. The statement issued reaffirmed the four countries’ cooperation to attain the Free and Open Indo-Pacific(FOIP), strong support for ASEAN’s unity, promote open-rules based order in the maritime domain, and strengthen democratic resilience based on international law and universal values, unity in tackling global challenges, ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. In working towards these goals, the four countries will be setting up working groups focused on vaccine distribution, climate change, 5G technology implementation.
Foreign and Defence Ministers of the U.S. and Japan are to hold security talks in Tokyo. In what has been called a two-plus-two meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, will hold bilateral talks with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi with Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. It is expected that the ministers will be discussing issues such as China’s growing maritime assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, North Korean nuclear issue, and the crisis in Myanmar. Following the official level meeting, Suga plans to visit the U.S. and hold talks with Biden in the month of April.
Trade deal.
Recently the Chinese government ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement. China has also expressed its willingness to join the Trans-Pacific partnership. Last month, Japan’s cabinet had passed a bill to ratify RCEP. While speaking on this, the Japanese Trade Minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said, “RCEP will become the foundation of trade in Asia.” A trilateral pact between China, Japan and South Korea is still under negotiation, which makes RCEP Japan’s first trade deal with the two countries. The RCEP covers one-third of global trade and population. The free trade deal includes ASEAN(Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam), Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. The deal will come to effect after few other countries ratify. Despite India being a founding member, it opted out quoting concerns over growing trade deficits with China. A clause was specially made for India facilitating its return even after the trade deal comes to effect.
Business.
A Japan External Trade Orgaization’s (JETRO) survey reports that 70% of Japanese firms rethink overseas business strategy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The key takeaways from the survey are :
More than 60% of the Japanese firms involved in overseas business answered that they were negatively impacted in terms of sales in FY2020; on the contrary, around 13% of companies from the food and beverage industry said they were positively impacted and witnessed a steady demand despite the pandemic effect. It was observed that the adverse effect was mainly due to the bilateral friction between the U.S. and China, which has affected trade policies.
The companies expressed willingness to expand operations at new overseas bases. Among target business development destinations, China(48.1%) stood first followed by Vietnam(40.9%) and the U.S(40.1%).
70% of Japanese firms that are keen on pursuing overseas business said they made revisions to their business strategies. Companies are looking at improving their business by utilizing digital technology, virtual exhibits, etc.
Sci-tech.
In a virtual bilateral meeting held between the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA), it was agreed to mutually cooperate and explore opportunities in “space situational awareness and professional exchange program.” The space agencies also reviewed cooperation in earth observation, lunar cooperation, and satellite navigation. Other joint space missions between the two countries are lunar polar exploration(LUPEX), and the target to send a lander and rover to the Moon’s South Pole.
Will Japan’s automakers join the electric car race ?
When the whole world is in a rush to adopt electric vehicles and ban gasoline-burning vehicles, the most successful automakers in Japan are hesitant to transition to electric-only vehicles. Despite the fact that the Japanese automaker Nissan was the first to introduce the Leaf in 2009, that ran on batteries alone, Japanese government and automakers are skeptical about the idea of Japan replacing hybrids with all-electric vehicles. They are questioning the potential profitability and environmental superiority of electric cars. Akio Toyoda, Chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and President of Toyota said, “electric cars are only as clean as the electricity that powers them and the factories where they are built.” Japan plans to have all new cars to be electric vehicles by the mid-2030. Currently 60% of all cars sold are purely gasoline powered. Kota Yuzawa, an auto industry analyst at Goldman Sachs said, “it was not a matter of whether Japan’s automakers could make the transition. They have world class technology and are putting significant resources into developing more of it. But they are waiting for the right timing”.