Japanese editorial excerpts -2-

TOKYO, Feb. 23 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

REAFFIRMING A COMMITMENT (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Nothing dramatic happened -- no new demands or agreements -- during U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's meetings with Japanese leaders this week. His visit should be interpreted as a U.S. effort to reaffirm its close ties with Japan and thus help enhance its image as a world leader as it faces difficult times at home and abroad over its Iraq policy.

Mr. Cheney's visit also provided Japan with an opportunity to cement its ties with the United States amid signs of a possible schism between the two countries following unfavorable comments from two Cabinet ministers about America's Iraq policy. Defense Minister Fumio Kyuma had said U.S. President George W. Bush's decision to invade Iraq was a mistake, and Foreign Minister Taro Aso had called former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's occupation policy in Iraq ''very naive.''

While Mr. Cheney met with Mr. Aso, he avoided meeting with Mr. Kyuma. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe explained that Mr. Cheney's stay was too short to meet with Mr. Kyuma. The latter had said Mr. Cheney's higher political rank demanded the meeting with Mr. Abe.

Mr. Abe told Mr. Cheney that Japan and the U.S. form an indispensable alliance for the benefit of Asia and the world while Mr. Cheney reaffirmed ''unwavering commitment'' to the security of Japan. Mr. Abe also expressed Japan's support for U.S. efforts to reconstruct and stabilize Iraq. Mr. Cheney expressed gratitude for Japan's cooperation with the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Cheney said North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals is a common issue to be tackled by the U.S. and Japan. Thus he offered a helping hand to Japan at a time when there is fear that Japan may be isolated in the six-nation talks because of the priority it has put on solving the abduction issue.

Mr. Abe and Mr. Cheney agreed that China's military buildup lacks transparency, and called on the country to become a ''responsible and constructive'' international player. In sum, Mr. Abe and Mr. Cheney appear to have succeeded in confirming close bilateral relations between the two countries.

(Feb. 23)

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