Regarding the June 8 wire service article “Abe holds talks with Pope Francis“: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is reported to have talked with Pope Francis about ways of promoting peace and stability in Asia. East Asia is riven with tensions over the large number of small islands claimed by China in the East and South China seas. As its requirements for oil increase, China seems aggressive enough to begin oil development of sea bottoms in the region. Japan should be tenacious in talking with China about developing resources together.
Brazil now shares offshore oil development with Japan’s Itochu trading company. It is reported that Itochu remodeled an enormous tanker to purify, store and transport oil and has continued to cooperate with Brazil.
As for the Senkaku islets, Japan should reach out to China for collaboration in oil development. Talk with China is a must. Japan should take the initiative on this. Then Japan wouldn’t need to depend on the U.S. Navy and a collective self-defense policy in response to contingencies.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.