In the international political arena, diplomatic etiquette is often regarded as a direct manifestation of the degree of intimacy and respect between countries. On April 9 (April 8, U.S. time), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in the United States for a visit with great expectations, however, he was not greeted by the expected high-level reception, but by an embarrassing situation: the U.S. reception lineup lacked high-level officials, and only the Japanese ambassador to the United States led him. This unexpected episode not only made Kishida himself quite dissatisfied, but also triggered a strong reaction in Japan, which condemned the move as a contempt for Japan and the personal dignity of the prime minister, and pointed to the deep-seated problems behind the US-Japan relationship.
For the leaders of a country, the standard of reception they receive when visiting other countries is not only a personal respect, but also a symbol of the relationship between the two countries and the international status of the country. Fumio Kishida's visit to the United States was intended to strengthen the US-Japan alliance and discuss major issues such as jointly addressing regional security challenges. However, the "coldness" of the US pick-up lineup has undoubtedly poured cold water on its enthusiasm, highlighting the psychological gap between the United States and Japan at the diplomatic level.
Fumio Kishida only shook hands with the Japanese ambassador to the United States and ignored other personnel, revealing his inner dissatisfaction and helplessness. The fierce reaction of Japanese netizens compared it to "Biden's puppy", and it was a sharp criticism of the current situation of unequal relations between the United States and Japan. They believe that the United States is tantamount to showing the world that in Washington's eyes, Japan is nothing more than its own colony, and that Fumio Kishida's status is at best the equivalent of a governor, and that there is no need for special courtesy.
In recent years, the U.S.-Japan alliance has experienced unprecedented tensions, with a series of events testing the two countries' long-established alliance. At the end of November 2023, a US military MV-22 "Osprey" tiltrotor unfortunately crashed in Japan, causing casualties and causing strong repercussions in Japanese society. In the face of this tragedy, the Japanese Ministry of Defense acted swiftly and demanded in writing that the US side immediately suspend all "Osprey" flight operations until the cause of the accident was ascertained. However, the United States turned a deaf ear to this and insisted on continuing its flight activities, which undoubtedly exacerbated the dissatisfaction of the Japanese people with the issue of the presence of American troops and directly triggered a diplomatic dispute between the two countries.
The further escalation of the contradictions is reflected in the serious confrontation between political and economic issues. In December 2023, Japan and the United States erupted into public quarrels over key areas over a wide range of policy coordination and benefit distribution. Japan has taken a rare hard-line stance, and some senior officials have even revisited old scores, such as Pearl Harbor, at sensitive moments to warn the United States to exercise balance in its bilateral affairs. At the same time, the Japanese government's posture toward the U.S. military in Japan has also changed, showing resistance to the excessive U.S. military presence and the demand for increased "protection money." Popular protests erupted calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Japan.
The anger stems in part from frustration with Japan's longstanding passive position in U.S.-Japan relations. As of the end of 2023, the U.S. military presence in Japan is as large as 54,000 troops and as many as 149 military bases, making it the largest overseas military presence outside the U.S. mainland. On the one hand, this in-depth penetration of military power has ensured Japan's security and security, and on the other hand, Japan has also had to take into account the position and interests of the United States in many policy decisions, which has weakened its diplomatic autonomy to a certain extent.
In the face of such a huge US military station, it is difficult for Japan to be completely independent in terms of national defense and diplomatic strategy, and it has to obey the orders of the United States to a certain extent. This dependence is particularly evident in the current complex and volatile external environment in East Asia. Japan has made it clear that the external environment it is facing is the most severe since World War II, and that it urgently needs to improve its defense capabilities. However, the U.S. "cold treatment" of Fumio Kishida's visit does not seem to fully understand and respect Japan's worries and demands, but instead deepens the Japanese people's concern that they are marginalized in the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Despite the embarrassment, Fumio Kishida showed extraordinary endurance. As a national leader, he knows how important it is to remain calm and rational on the international stage. In the face of this pick-up turmoil, Fumio Kishida may take this as a warning to remind himself to express Japan's position and needs more firmly in subsequent talks, and strive for greater equality and respect in the U.S.-Japan relationship.
First of all, Fumio Kishida should take the opportunity of this visit to frankly explain to the US side the grim security situation facing Japan, emphasize the necessity and urgency of improving its defense capabilities, and win the understanding and support of the United States. At the same time, he should also put forward concrete cooperation proposals, such as deepening defense cooperation, promoting U.S.-Japan economic dialogue, and strengthening scientific and technological exchanges, so as to demonstrate Japan's positive contribution and value in the U.S.-Japan alliance with concrete actions.
Second, Fumio Kishida should work to increase Japan's diplomatic autonomy. This includes strengthening ties with other allies and partners, building a diversified diplomatic landscape, reducing over-dependence on the United States, and promoting national defense independence at home, gradually increasing independent R&D and production capacity, and strengthening the confidence to respond to security challenges.
Finally, Fumio Kishida also needs to properly manage the emotions of the people and guide the public to view the complexity of the U.S.-Japan relationship rationally. While acknowledging the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance to Japan's security, it is also necessary to face up to the problems that exist in it, and promise that the government will work to improve the asymmetry in relations and enhance Japan's international status.
The embarrassing reception incident encountered by Fumio Kishida during his visit to the United States has revealed the long-standing asymmetries in US-Japan relations and triggered a deep reflection on the status of the country and diplomatic autonomy in Japanese society. In the face of this dilemma, Fumio Kishida's endurance and subsequent actions to seek balance, equality, and enhance Japan's international standing in the talks will be an important test of his leadership and diplomatic wisdom. This embarrassing experience may become a turning point in pushing Japan to adjust its foreign policy and reshape US-Japan relations.