JAPAN’S GRASSROOTS CHARM OFFENSIVE IN B.C.
Informal delegation visited to foster trade and understanding, writes Chuck Chiang
If any diplomat has an astute insight into how major free-trade deals figure into the American election season, it would be Ichiro Fujisaki, Japan’s ambassador to the United States from 2008 to 2012.
Fujisaki recently visited Vancouver, but his visit had nothing to do with U.S. election; rather, the now-retired ambassador was leading a small team of ordinary Japanese civilians in the first “Walk in Canada, Talk on Japan” event during a three-day swing through the Lower Mainland in late October.
Organized by the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office, the visit was to encourage grassrootslevel engagement between young Canadians and Japanese residents and students. Fujisaki noted none of the team (other than himself ) has governmentwork experience, and that was a key to the visit.
“I think (this) has a number of significances; First, those people (in Canada) who listen would get first-hand what Japanese people think about certain issues,” Fujisaki explained. “Second, through social media and other conversations, we can communicate to a larger audience. Third, this will train our (team members), because they’ve never had this experience. So in 10 years’ time, maybe they can come here as the leaders (of their own teams).”
Given the close timing with the U.S. election (which takes place Nov. 8), however, the topic — as well as how the campaign rhetoric from both Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump criticizing the TransPacific Partnership trade pact (TPP) that’s awaiting ratification — was not far from the mind of Fujisaki, who was in Washington during Barack Obama’s first term in office.
Q Both Clinton and Trump have opposed the TPP on the campaign trail. Given that both Japan and Canada are members to this proposed pact, how worrying is it for you to see this development?
A We have to go with history. In 1992, (then-U. S. president Bill) Clinton said he was against NAFTA. In 1994, he ratified and concluded it. In 2008, President (Barack) Obama said he thinks NAFTA is a bad deal, that it’s stealing jobs from the United States, and that he will review NAFTA if he became president — which he didn’t. During the election, you have to say those things. I hope now there is that element as well.
One thing that’s important for the United States — very important — is if the United States didn’t start the enterprise (of TPP), then it’s OK. But once the U.S. took the lead — and if the U.S. didn’t accomplish it, because of the United States — people, not only in the Asia Pacific, but in the rest of the world, will think, “The United States took the initiative, pushed us around, and in the end it was the United States who couldn’t make a deal.” It’s very bad for the United States if they couldn’t do it.
And I think those countries who are not in the U.S. camp — Russia, China — will take advantage of that, saying, “The U.S. pushed you, and the U.S. didn’t do it themselves.” That’s how I view it. Once you started it, you have to finish it.
Q This is the first time a “Talk on Japan” event has been in Canada, although you’ve led three other similar missions to the United States. How do you view the relationship between Japan and B. C.? A Canada is an important part-
ner for us. We share common values like democracy, human rights, freedom of speech … And now, we are trying to establish a new institution like the TPP. Canada is an important partner, and Japan is an important partner. So we would like Canadians to know more about Japan.
Of course, this is a very limited exercise, but I don’t think anyone has done this type of grassrootsto-grassroots outreach here before. These are working people — except for me. I’m a retired diplomat. I’m goofing off (laughs). But these are hardworking people who are taking a week of their time to reach out.
I think the students will be impressed by the presentations because it’s done in 45 minutes only. There’s not going to be 40-minute speeches that people forget about afterwards … And there’s no real criteria between success and no success. It’s a start. A reception like this is a great opportunity for everyone here, to meet people, to talk and to exchange contact information, and they would continue (staying in touch) after. That’s significant.
Q From the outside looking in, there has been concerns by people wanting to do business with Japan about its economy and its aging society. What’s the situation on the ground as it
relates to “Abenomics,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s reforms since he took office?
A Remember, Abenomics tried to changed the psychology of people, the mindset. That’s the most important part, because economy is not only mathematics; it’s also about psychology. If people think the economy is going to be bad, people will not spend, people will not invest, and it goes downslope. If people think the economy is going to be good, they will buy now, they will invest now, and the economy will be good. I think Abenomics have not completely succeeded, just partially succeeded. What’s important is we have to work in local economies. There’s a discrepancy between Tokyo and smaller industries and local, smaller economies. That’s the main target now … The message is, please come to Japan, and please invest in Japan. I think we look forward to that.
We’re very happy that more than 200 Japanese companies are in British Columbia, and Vancouver has been very kind to the Japanese community. We have many tourists coming to this district, and students are coming to Canada. Japanese people — very frankly — are not coming with a lot of money … but I think there’s a lot of value in having a good relationship with Canada.