TOKYO, May 3 (RIA Novosti, Andrei Fesyun) - In order to build up its influence in the United Nations Japan is playing a complex political game, believes one of the leading Japanese experts.
"The desire to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council can hardly be fulfilled now. The Japanese leadership clearly understands it", Professor Kiemitsu Tagaki from the Strategic Center for Problems of the Far East has told RIA Novosti in the interview. He was commenting on results of yesterday's meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and leaders of the European Union.
This notwithstanding, the realities of today like the strengthening of the economic, political and military might of China and the need to play a more active and independent role in international affairs force Japan to take definite steps in this direction, he thinks.
"A multi-move and multi-level combination is being played now", the politologist said.
On one hand, Japan is seeking to restrain China's influence in the United Nations, declaring its political potential and the size of material support to that international organization. This substantiates China's claim for a higher status there.
On the other hand, aware that China will hardly put up with the emergence of Japan among the permanent members of the Security Council, Tokyo is ready to back up India's candidature, as seen from hints made by Junichiro Koizumi during his visit to New-Delhi last week.
This would be a good counterbalance to China and Japan would also get a reliable partner in the Security Council.
In the opinion of Professor Tagaki, the European Union lacks understanding of the true reason for Japan's desire to be in the United Nations Security Council.
"The European countries still see it as the desire of an economic rival to beef up politically its expansion to the external markets", the Japanese expert believes.
Also voicing its desire to be a permanent member of the Security Council, Germany is still showing a cautious approach and not coming out in a united front with Japan.
Overall, the intention of the four countries - Japan, Germany, India and Brazil - to join the "permanent members club" of the UN Security Council remains greatly declarative, Kiemitsu Tagaki is sure.
During his meeting with the EU leaders on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi tried to clear up the EU position towards Japan's desire and was assured that "the position of his country is well understood".
The EU leaders are going to sit on the UN reform in June.
