>Any comment on what Clinton's purpose is in going to Japan?
I'll have a go!
It occurs that the 'Recovery Initiative' demands an awful lot of institutional restructuring in Asia. The Willy has to talk Japan into doing it, too - nay, first.
He has also to soothe Japanese planners because America has now stuffed up two consecutive APECs for them.
Remember Vancouver last year? Japanese planners had anticipated sustained trouble in the region and had suggested a substantial regional defence fund. Fearing they wouldn't have the control over the dispensation of such funds (and the conditions under which they'd be handed over) they would have if the IMF kept the monopoly on this, Clinton's mob squashed the suggestion. No-one can know how different things might have been but for this, but the odds are they'd have been a darn sight better.
And then America continues its brown-nosing in Beijing - (not only telling off Mahathir for lesser outrages - outrageous though they are - but effectively signalling to the Japanese that old unspoken relationships may be at risk).
But China has slowed its integration programme in response to the carnage of '97 and '98. Japan is still the fulcrum upon which Asia's immediate future pivots.
At this year's APEC, Japanese planners hear their plan is yet again at risk from the Americans. First, the Yanks refuse to commit to an exact contribution figure; second, whatever the figure, it'll be tied to US trade; third, the WSJ whispers something about an American plan to stuff the Miyazawa initiative, and co-opt the Japanese contribution under an American initiative; fourth, nobody seems to have a scedule for the implementation of the ultimate plan, anyway; and fifth, it could all be in vain if Japanese domestic policy doesn't come to the party (both as leader by example and sponge for the region's product).
Many APEC leaders obliquely agreed with Mahathir back when APEC was formed that they didn't really want the Americans on board. America is on the nose amongst Asia's proles (the IMF is America as far as they're concerned), and at least a couple of its leaders. More now than then. Just maybe Japan is the intended medium through which US policy in the region might be applied for the foreseeable future.
Which, after all this intrigue and disappointment, might require some of The Willy's famous seduction skills.
Talking of which, it might be advisable for him to be elsewhere and otherwise engaged while Starr goes through the hoops ...
Cheers, Rob.