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Address at the Reception in celebration of the 77^th Birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

by Consul General Yoshi Kamo

December 15, 2010

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my great honor to have all of you here this evening to celebrate the 77^th birthday of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. First of all, let us give a big hand to Cathy Foy and the Royal Hawaiian Band. Her extraordinary rendition of our National Anthems was just awesome, and the Royal Hawaiian Band’s music magnificent. I am very pleased to say that we are joined by many distinguished guests today. I wish I could introduce all of them. But I can’t. Since I have to save time as my speech will not be very short.

This year we are proud to offer you the wonderful array of Japanese Gourmand food. Your favorite Takumi caterer prepares for choicest Tempura and Yakitori. Grilled fresh abalones anyone? The most famed Farmers Market’s delicacy has come to the Japanese Consulate. Yes, the International Japanese Sake Club entices you to sample many cups of premier sake. Chef Uematsu welcomes you at his sushi counter with his big Ahi. But please be patient for a little while.  

Last year I talked about the Emperor of Japan, because, in my view, what made Japan truly unique and Japanese was his reign for the past many centuries. This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the first voyage by the Japanese Navy Ship, Kanrin-maru, to America and the 50^th anniversary of revising the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. Undoubtedly, this is an auspicious year for U.S.-Japan relations, in particular U.S.-Japan Alliance. However, against the backdrop of China’s rise and Japan’s decline, some might ask whether Japan can continue to be a trustful partner in securing U.S. strategic interests in Asia. So today I want to convince those skeptics of their error. But how? Well, that’s the question. In my humble attempt, first, I want to mention that U.S.-Japan relations are too important to fail and U.S.-Japan Alliance too beneficial to discard. Second, I want to say that Japanese are trustful and palatable by showing their track records in the past.

First, U.S.-Japan relations! 150 years ago, the United States was a teacher-mentor for Japan’s industrialization and modernization. 100 years ago, she was a formidable rival for Japan to compete in pursuing political influence and commercial interests in Asia. Despite the great disparity in terms of military capability and economic potentials, they were both developing nations in their own rights; The U.S. was ascending to challenge the British hegemony. Japan was growing strength to become an emerging power. 50 years ago, their imperialistic interests clashed. Prejudice exacerbated their hostility. Neither of them knew the other well, lacking sufficient information and trustful relationships Americans did not understand Japanese. Japanese did not know Americans.

After the war, Japan recovered from the ashes and was admitted to the international community as a member of the West. She enjoyed wide recognition and economic development, thanks to the nuclear and conventional deterrence provided by the United States. U.S. Forces in Japan were instrumental in making U.S.-Japan Alliance operational. They were involved in all wars and conflicts, from Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, to Afghanistan in the post WWII era. Their presence in Japan guaranteed peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

The stationing in various parts of Japan by U.S. Forces delivered to us an important by-product. It promoted the friendship and mutual understanding between our two countries at the grass roots level. American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines got acquainted with Japanese hands on by the contacts they had in the respective local communities. The long lasting friendship between the Wolfhounds soldiers in Oahu and the children at the Holy Family Orphanage in Osaka exemplifies many heart-warming human stories we have had between Americans and the local Japanese.

The same went for Japanese. They got angry at their own ignorance, as they got to know more about Americans. Their innocent admiration for America’s wealth and power was transformed into their genuine appreciation for her magnanimity and open-mindedness. U.S. military bases in Japan set the stage for human interchange as well. Numerous romantic encounters took place and many Japanese brides went across the Pacific. American soldiers once thought they knocked out Japanese men, but years later, they were knocked out by Japanese women. It’s a sweet revenge Japan stole.

U.S. military bases have done so much to help Japan go strong and prosper. The issue of relocating the Marines Corps base in Futenma, Okinawa should be looked at from this perspective. It is often reported that the entire Okinawa is opposed to U.S. military bases there. That is not necessarily so. Okinawans are rather angry with the Japanese government for what they perceive to be insufficient assistance it provides in addressing to Okinawa’s needs. There are many Okinawans who appreciate U.S. Forces for their role in securing Okinawa’s peace and prosperity. The burdens Okinawa bears, however, are by no means small or balancing. For the maintenance of the healthy Alliance, this situation should be rectified.

So I hope you will agree that the apprehensions for U.S.-Japan relationship entertained by the skeptics are misplaced. Now, let me move on to the next part of my speech by giving my interpretation as to what kind of people we were in the past 150 years. Of course much has been said about us, but we are not good at speaking our mind. I want to make it sure there’s no misunderstanding about it.  

Japanese are a pathfinder, a law-abider, and a good loser. In the past, Japan has always been a pathfinder. Japan rose up from an insulated feudal society to a failed imperialist power and, from there, to an advanced democracy.  It was a lonely solo journey, without any travel companion. She proved that a non-white nation could achieve economic modernization. Japan’s experience has served, in later years, as a guidepost for other Asian nations when they choose their course to modernity. Recent years have seen Japan’s muddling through her predicament caused by the adverse effects of deflation, aging and dwindling population. The rest of the world is carefully watching what will become of Japan for obtaining clues in addressing to their future problems.  

 It is noteworthy that Japan has been a steadfast law-abider since her start as a modern nascent nation. For better or worse, Japan adored the Western Powers, honored their rules, and wished for their recognition. Challengers would defy the existing rules. Japan has never been a challenger in that sense. It has been Japan’s consistent policy to stay within the international legal framework. She even honored the discriminatory treaties she had to seal to open trade and commerce with the Western Powers. The defeat of WWII did not change her conservative nature, as she remained committed in good faith to the prevailing world order led by the United States.

Japan has been behaving as a defeated nation for nearly half of her modern past. To be a good loser has been almost Japan’s obsession. The defeated ex-Japanese Imperial Army soldiers never revolted against the Allied Occupation Army. For that matter, the whole Japanese nation never hurled animosity at Americans. Instead, they converted themselves to American values enthusiasts overnight. No comparable loser as Japan was born from the Cold War or the other recent conflicts. This is, perhaps, another reason why she is kept chained to this mentality even today. Japan restricts herself to exercising her sovereign rights to the extent her national commitment to peace allows. No other nation applies this much self-restraint to themselves. Bushido, the samurai swordsmanship accounts for this Japan’s manliness, humility and modesty. It is her way of fulfilling herself.

So my dear American friends! You have got a pitiable friend, indeed. Don’t you think it is morally correct to work with her? This alliance of ours, anchored by the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, has been a blessing to us all. It is not easy to find an alternative that proves so successful, so beneficial, and so extensive in extending peace and security to all parties concerned in the region. I hope that our successful alliance will continue to prosper. The change of international security environments, however, may dictate us to terminate our Alliance someday. That successful Anglo-Japanese Alliance in the early 20^th century was ended after 19 years of existence. Regardless of the status of U.S.-Japan Alliance, U.S.-Japan relations will remain substantial, as we sit as neighbors at the both sides of the Pacific. We met long time ago, competed and confronted, and finally got acquainted. It has taken so long for us to foster the matured relationship we enjoy today. We have every reason to cherish it.

 You remember the great earthquake that razed Kobe to the ground in 1995. In the ruins where aftershocks recurred and fires broke out, the local residents demonstrated a remarkable civic integrity by not going panic but orderly helping each other in responding to the emergency. Immediately after the earthquake, a local bank offered unsecured, interest-free cash-loans for those who lost their home with bare scrutiny. In three years time, all the debts were repaid. This is Japan’s strength. This is Japan’s tradition. We thank nature. We trust friends. We respect others. We were simply born that way in the land of the rising sun where Emperors reigned for the last 1600 years.

Thank you very much.