Japanese Prime Minister: China GDP Super Japan Should Shoulder More International Responsibilities

Naoto Kan said that in the latter half of the twentieth Century, Japan grew into an economic power by opening up to the world.

Entering the twenty-first Century, the Japanese economy stagnated and "young people looked inward".

He said Japan's top priority is to open wider to the world.

For the third opening strategy, Naoto Kan said that this is not to return to the old way, but to draw lessons from history and move towards the future.

"Though it has begun to walk around the circle, it is going up every lap to create a spiral staircase."

Naoto Kan compares the huge changes that the world faces in the field of security and economy to crustal changes.

He reiterated the five pillars of Japan's foreign and security policy mentioned in his speech on Japanese diplomacy last week in Tokyo, namely, the US based axis, the new start of Asian diplomacy, the promotion of economic diplomacy, the global scale issues, and the accurate response to the security and security environment.

Naoto Kan emphasized the importance of Japan US alliance. He said that Japan US alliance is the first of five pillars. Japan and the United States continue to contribute to promoting peace and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.

For Japan's relations with China, Naoto Kan said that due to the rise and expansion of China, Sino Japanese relations are very important, and the two countries need to strengthen cooperation in a wide range of economic regional stability and environment.

Asked if China is more worried than Japan becoming the world's second largest economy, Naoto Kan said: "China is the second largest economy in the world in terms of economic growth.

China's growth has brought economic and social impact to Japan. China's economy is very large. It should be a greater responsibility in the world. It is hoped that China will realize this and act accordingly.

Naoto Kan emphasized the importance of free trade.

"Free trade is the best way to share honor with the world."

He said that upgrading the economic partnership is the focus of the third opening.

He said Japan will decide whether to join the Pan Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) by June of this year.