Can Japan mediate between the United States and North Korea?

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, warned that it would be a bad idea if Pyongyang were to resume nuclear and missile tests. But Bolton did not suggest possible ways out of the situation.

Illustration photo: REUTERS / KCNA

The difficult bargaining position of the United States, one of the main reasons for the inconclusive end of the Hanoi summit, was not only negatively evaluated by Russia and China, but also by South Korea. According to the South Korean presidential office, "achieving complete denuclearization overnight is very difficult", so it is necessary to "revisit the 'all or nothing' strategy, to start, if not with a small agreement, then at least with a "fairly good agreement", and then increase the results further.

However, Seoul's friendliness only pushes the United States to look for other allies in implementing its strategy on the Korean Peninsula, and Japan may take a key position in it. Tokyo continues to adhere to a tough stance on the issue of its nuclear missile program, but at the same time, it does not make any efforts to establish dialogue. Japan announced that for the first time in 11 years, it will not participate in drafting a resolution on human rights in the DPRK, which is submitted for consideration by the UN specialized committee. And this may push Pyongyang to seek a compromise on the nuclear issue.

“Japan has resolved many bilateral issues with North Korea and has shown a very flexible foreign policy in establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1965 and with China in 1972. Improving relations with Pyongyang could boost the popularity of Prime Minister Abe, who plans to change the constitution. Therefore, it is hoped that improving Japan’s relations with North Korea will facilitate the resumption of dialogue between the United States and the DPRK,” said Park Jong Chol, a professor at Gyeongsang National University.

Some South Korean experts believe that after actions that have strengthened the position of the DPRK, the Moon Jae-in government has lost points in the eyes of US officials and experts. So now Japan is being called upon to play a mediating role in intensifying negotiations. But, according to Professor Park Jong Chol, the plan is not that simple.

Has the US yet to allow the skies over North Korea to open? Photo: Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev

“For Tokyo, it is important to resolve all the remaining post-World War II issues during Abe’s term as prime minister, in order to ensure the LDP’s continued rule. China and Russia cannot create a pretext for US-North Korea talks, and South Korea is unlikely to do so either. Therefore, it is clear that all eyes are on Japan. However, it is difficult to say whether Donald Trump will decide to play the Japan card now. Because Tokyo will engage in dialogue with Pyongyang for its own national interests, and Trump wants, if possible, to independently support the hope of resuming talks.”

For its part, North Korea is more interested than anyone else in normalizing relations with the United States and, therefore, would be willing to respond to Japan's proposals to resolve remaining issues in bilateral relations.