Fixing relations with Japan

This week President Ranil Wickremesinghe is in Japan to take part in the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was assassinated in July this year. Unlike his recent visit to the United Kingdom to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, President Wickremesinghe is expected to have several high-level meetings during this visit to Japan including a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. 

While the visit to the UK was a wasteful ego trip without any tangible political or economic benefit to Sri Lanka, the President’s visit to Japan is far more significant and has greater potential for fixing the damaged relationship with one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted international partners.

While there were many foreign relations failures in the short-lived Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration none was more glaring and damaging than the way relations with Japan was handled. These were precipitated by the cancellation of several development projects that would have brought in significant economic benefit to the country. 

The $ 1.5 billion light rail train project which was funded on a soft loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the tri-partite development project of the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port’s South Harbour involving Japan and India were among the most significant among these. In the wake of deteriorating relations and rampant corruption within the administration as well as Sri Lanka declaring external debt default, Japan cancelled funding for over a dozen projects.  

President Wickremesinghe has a tall task in convincing his Japanese counterparts that his administration is truly different to his predecessor. While he may have a better understanding of international geo-politics, president Wickremesinghe is very much a continuation of the previous regime with the same individuals running affairs. 

Especially on the transparency front he has done little to convince investors and international partners to demonstrate his willingness to address allegations of corruption. He has appointed to the Cabinet convicted fraudsters and those who have serious corruption allegations against them. 

Japan is also a key member in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, commonly known as the Quad that also involves the United States, India and Australia. These countries collaborate and coordinate their strategic, security engagements in the Indo-Pacific region and will have a significant impact on Sri Lanka’s dealings with the region. Japan in this regard can be a key interlocutor in coordinating efforts towards Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. 

Though there have been contradictory statements regarding a possible debt restructuring conference to be organised in Japan, there is no doubt that it can play a key role in the economic recovery as a long-trusted friend.

However, for all these to happen there must be a recalibration of relations with Japan. Statements and superficial gestures will not suffice. President Wickremesinghe needs to demonstrate that his administration has clearly broken with the disastrous foreign policies of his predecessor. Even though he is without a popular mandate this administration needs to prove its democratic credentials. 

Clamping down on peaceful protests, intimidation of opponents, usage of draconian anti-terror laws, widespread militarisation and arbitrary declarations of emergency do not bode well in this regard. The government has a responsibility to guarantee its international partners including Japan that it is able and willing to address issues of corruption. No country or international financial agency will be willing to pump their taxpayer’s money into a corrupt administration as the one currently in place in Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe can show his seriousness towards rebuilding relations with Japan by appointing a suitable individual as the country’s envoy. The post of ambassador to Tokyo has been vacant since May and the choice of the President will be reflective of the importance he places on this relationship. It is necessary therefore to select wisely an individual who has the competence and an unblemished track record for this task.

It is hoped that President Wickremesinghe’s visit to Japan will deliver tangible results. Much is at stake and proper attention must be given towards repairing one of Sri Lanka’s most important bilateral relationships.