The Dec. 9 Kyodo article "Japan-U.S. alliance seen entering period of drift" spills a lot of ink over Japan's reaction to U.S. plans to remove North Korea from the U.S. list of states sponsoring terrorism. That topic has caused considerable stir among Japanese people since such action by the United States could lead to an unfortunate reinvigoration of that rogue state's economy.
Because of the many open wounds left by North Korea's unresolved and unaddressed crimes of kidnapping and murder against Japanese citizens, Japan opposes the delisting of North Korea. Were similar crimes perpetrated on U.S. citizens, sabers would rattle. At the very least, the offending nation's position on any blacklist would be secure. So it seems these lists are based on matters of self-interest and personal concern.
Why, then, doesn't Japan just go pen its own list of nations sponsoring terrorism? America has no copyright on listing. Japan's list could be one that reflects its own relevant concerns. On my list, the U.S. rides high among dangerous nations.
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