Japan's PM urges China to increase global role

DAVOS, Switzerland — Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan challenged China on Saturday to assume global responsibilities appropriate to its new status as the world's second largest economic power. China eclipsed Japan in the No. 2 spot last summer after three decades of very rapid growth. The World Bank and other analysts are already predicting that China could overtake the United States and become the world's biggest economy in the coming decade. When Kan was asked after a speech at the World Economic Forum if he was worried about being eclipsed by China, he said it was "something that is welcoming," adding that China's economic growth will have a "positive impact" on his country economically and socially. He also said China should have "greater responsibilities internationally" with such a large economy. "And I do hope that China recognizes this important responsibility that it bears and acts accordingly," the Japanese leader added. China, one of five permanent U.N. Security Council members with veto power, has put aside its traditional reluctance to become involved in global affairs as well as a more active player on international issues. Despite its opposition to sanctions in principal, China has supported four rounds of U.N. sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. But Beijing has frustrated the U.S. and its Western allies by leveraging its role as a supplier of food and fuel to North Korea that has stemmed efforts to force Pyongyang to return to six-party talks on its nuclear program. In his speech, Kan said "the world faces major changes that can be likened to a tectonic shift both in national security and in economic fields" — Asia is "the center of major tectonic changes," he said. Against this background, he said, the Japan-U.S. alliance "is becoming even more important" and should continue to play a key role in fostering peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. "For Japan, its relationship with China, which is expanding influence in Asia as it achieves remarkable economic growth, is extremely important," Kan added. "Both Japan and China have important responsibilities to bear in the international community, and will need to enhance cooperation in a wide array of fields such as economy, regional stability, and global environment," he said. Kan said he flew from Tokyo to Switzerland for one day to address the VIP gathering of leaders from business, politics, academia and other fields in Davos because the forum's themes of confronting the new global reality and promoting innovation and the green economy match his own perspective. He said there is growing concern in Japan "that in the midst of its economic stagnation the minds of its people including the youth are becoming inward-looking." "Opening the nation is needed through breaking out of this stifling atmosphere in people's minds and in economy," Kan said. "At the same time, forging new connections between individuals is needed so that the opening of the nation will not bring about rupture among people." The prime minister said Japan's economy will remain open, and the country will continue to promote innovation to help preserve the environment which it is already doing with Japanese-produced hybrid vehicles that enjoy a 90 percent global market share and LED lights. "Both have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by around 40 percent compared to conventional products," he said.—AP