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-11-
There is no doubt that the Japanese decision to go ahead with the
treaty
delayed for six years primarily over the wording of the
hegemony clause -- was also influenced by Tokyo's declining trust of
Washington over trade problems, especially the plummetting value of
the U.S. dollar. The threat of protectionism in the U.S. against
Japanese goods provides added incentive to try to pry open wider the
Chinese market.
Closer ties with China -- even of a military nature could be in the
works for the future, as growing friction between Tokyo and Washington
means that Japan must look eisewhere for military co-operation against
the mounting Soviet challenge. The Christian Science Monitor of
August 14, 1978 reports:
The treaty of peace and friendship that has just been concluded
between China and Japan could be a historic watershed, not only in
Asia but also for the pattern of international politics throughout
the world •.. The reason is that it draws Japan one step closer
into a network of both Communist and noncommunist nations con
cerned about the growing military and political power of the
Soviet Union.
The treaty opens the way for growing Japanese economic and
political cooperation with China at a time when Peking is
persistently seeking to build an anti-Soviet 'containment'
network surrounding the Soviet Union and extending from the
United States through Western Europe to Japan. China is also
attempting to build support in the Soviet Union's 'backyard' with
this week's visit by Chairman Hua Kuo-feng to Yugoslavia and
Romania.•.
The treaty is expected to strengthen the hand in Japanese internal
politics of those who favor export to China of goods with military
implications.•• Long-term, if limited, defense cooperation between
the two countries also is expected by some analysts. Although a
formal alliance is not expected, exchange of opinions or intelli
gence information between defense forces is one option.
--Gene H. Hogberg, News Bureau