Donald Trump and N. Korea's nuclear ambitions

It was night time in Tokyo, and I had an enjoyable time with long time friends from the U.S., China, Korea and Japan under the cherry tree. Under the influence of liquor, dozens of opinions sprang out, which I would call a non-summit talk.

U.S.: I feel ashamed. I never thought so, but Donald Trump is leaving others in the dust in the Republican Party. America is becoming debased.

Japan: Eight years ago, Barack Obama came to the fore and instilled hope in the world.

U.S.: This is a retroaction. I guess people are getting anxious. Trump is gaining popularity by saying what other candidates have been reluctant to discuss openly.

Japan: He's saying that there is no need to protect Japan and Korea. He says that we should protect ourselves by developing nuclear weapons and he is wishing us luck.

Korea: Well, even people advocating nuclear armament have no word in reply.

Japan: Is this also what the U.S. intended secretly?

U.S.: That would bring down too much heat on the U.S. if you say so. Even President Obama said Trump is ignorant of diplomacy and world situations.

China: Even China would be at a loss of words to hear that every country should have nuclear weapons. China's nuclear weapons is enough for East Asia.

Japan: Um... That comment is not good to hear, either. If so, I hope China realizes its responsibility as a country that possesses nuclear weapons. Isn't China the main culprit prompting fear in surrounding countries by expanding armaments?

U.S.: Isn't this because China always said "yes" to North Korea? China should take a more harsh stance on North Korea to give up nuclear weapons.

China: President Xi Jinping is also on the brink of exploding due to anger since he had egg on his face by North Korean young people. It recently agreed to U.N.'s strict sanctions.

Korea: That is because President Park Geun-hye closed Kaesong Industrial Complex and burned down the bridge.

China: Women are incredible people.

Korea: The Trust Process on the Korean Peninsula has been broken. But President Park says this is only the beginning.

Japan: However, her actions failed to become a decisive trigger. No big solutions were devised at the summit in Washington either.

U.S.: By the way, heads of state of Korea and Japan have become closer to each other since they agreed on the comfort women issue. President Obama is also very pleased about it.

Japan: This is partly thanks to North Korea.

U.S.: Still, Korea-Japan summit didn't go through in Washington.

China: There is still a large gap between China and Japan. Recently, Chinese foreign Minister Wang Yi said Japan has two faces.

Korea: Wang Yi's description goes well with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe given his words and actions.

Japan: Um.. Maybe so. But it is not a proper thing for a foreign minister to say. It is really China that has two faces since it is expanding armament while claiming for world peace.

U.S.; Yeah, you're right.

Japan: Let's go back to North Korea issue. The North should be called Nuclear and Missile's Republic of Korea instead of Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The North's nuclear ambitions are here to stay for long.

Korea: Well, it is an empire rather than a republic. As an empire can't ignore people's lives, China has keys to North Korea's future actions.

Japan: Even if there are sanctions against North Korea, if it is for support of people's livelihood, the North will have reason to escape sanctions. I wonder how much China would do for the North.

China: That is certainly a source of agony. Things will turn worse if China pushes too hard on the North. China can't ignore its people who earn a living by trading with North Korea.

Korea: China can't be trusted after all.

China: North Korea wants peace treaty, and so the U.S. should have talks with the North.

U.S.: As the North says it can't give up nuclear development, no negotiations can be made. And this time around, China simply can't pay much attention on this issue due to Middle East problems. That's why it is called "strategic tolerance."

Japan: Isn't it more like do-nothing and resourceless?

China: The North's nuclear missiles could someday hit the U.S. while idling time away.

U.S.: We can't respond to such threats. The U.S. could push with a decapitation operation if necessary.

Korea: It's like a poker game since no one's giving up.

Japan: Yes. Is that why Trump should become president?

(Written by Yoshibumi Wakamiya, senior fellow of Japan Center for International Exchange and former chief editor of the Asahi Shimbun)