In his second Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi retained both Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Defense Agency Director General Shigeru Ishiba. This promises continuity in Japan's foreign and defense policy, at least for the next three years in which Koizumi is likely to serve as president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and hence prime minister. The question is whether Japan's course should remain the same in this period.
The world situation has changed dramatically since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The U.S. administration of President George W. Bush has since leaned increasingly toward unilateralism, antagonizing some of America's traditional allies in Europe. In its dealings with Russia and China, however, the Bush administration has shifted to a policy of cooperation, rather than confrontation.
Now, however, Americans are becoming increasingly critical of the way Bush went to war with Iraq. This is beginning to cast a shadow over his bid to win a second term in next year's presidential election.