Japan opposition says it’s ready to stand up to US

Japan’s main opposition party said Monday that if it comes to power in this month’s elections it will confront the United States on key military and diplomatic issues, but still regard it as the Asian nation’s most important ally.

The Democratic Party of Japan is widely tipped to win the Aug. 30 vote and topple the Liberal Democratic Party, which has ruled Japan for virtually all of the last 54 years.

Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, largely sets its own course in financial matters but over the decades has followed Washington’s lead in broad areas of military and foreign policy. It relies on the U.S. for nuclear deterrence and hosts tens of thousands of American troops, as well as fighter jets and warships.

Katsuya Okada, the secretary general of the Democratic Party of Japan, says it is time for Japan to become more independent and assertive.

Okada, who would likely have a key role in the new government if the opposition party takes power, criticized what he described as Japan’s obedience to Washington. Tokyo has largely followed the lead of the U.S. over the last five decades despite sharp policy changes under the 11 different U.S. presidents who have served during that time.

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