"Many of you," Matsukawa said clearly, "have visited with me, agreeing that we can no longer afford to have the Americans influencing Japan's future. Prime Ministers Nakasone and Takeshita began this movement, and now we need to bring it to a conclusion."
He raised his hands when a few of the cartel members started to speak. "Let me finish and then I want to listen to what the rest of you have to say."
Matsukawa took a sip of water from the glass under the wide podium. "You know many of the key issues at stake: the continuing trade disputes, the argument over the size and constitutionality of our Self-Defense Forces, America's shrinking military presence in the Western Pacific, and our lack of confidence in their desire, or ability, to come to our defense if someone attacked us."
He impatiently waited for the murmur to die down. "Now that the presence of the U. S. military is not felt in East Asia, China's Congress has passed a law claiming Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands, and most of the South China Sea, where there are thought to be rich oil and gas deposits.
"Beijing's territorial claims are explosive issues that place China in a confrontational position against Japan, Taipei, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, the Philippines, and Brunei. Chinese military leaders have even been quoted in the China Business Times as saying they consider the United States a developed nation in decline while China is a developing nation on the rise."
Matsukawa reached for his water glass. "So we can see that Beijing is not terribly worried about the American reaction to China's ventures. The situation that exists today in our region of the world could change very quickly and very dramatically. Since the Americans abandoned Clark Air Force Base and Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines, the Pacific Ocean is not America's lake anymore. They are no longer there to protect us.
Matsukawa looked at the chairman of Keidanren before continuing. "We have over seventy-five billion dollars invested in Asia, from Indonesia to Hong Kong, and we must be able to protect it. That's why we must continue to expand our military forces, especially the naval presence throughout the Pacific Rim."
The chief executive of Yamaichi Securities made a slashing gesture with his hand. "Matsukawa-san, I disagree with continuing to allow our military forces to grow at the expense of our economy. Besides," the troubled man said more excitedly, "over fifty-five percent of all Southeast Asians, let alone the majority of Americans, have deep-rooted fears about Japan's reconstituted military and what we're planning to do with it in the near future."
The deceitful billionaire gave the business executive a disdainful look. "It's time to face some facts," he began with a touch of sarcasm. "Don't you see the big picture? Japan is a political dwarf. We're going to have to have a world-class military that equals our economic power or continue to cower in fear of the Americans and anyone else who wants to step on our toes.
"We have rebuilt our country," Matsukawa rushed on, "from the shambles of 1945 to a world economic leader, and today we are building collateral to protect our vast investment."
Matsukawa fixed his eyes on his adversary. "Surely you wouldn't risk an investment without something to underwrite your money. Our collateral has to be our military — or Japan is going to remain a political dwarf to be slapped around."
The securities executive grunted and gave Matsukawa a look of pure hatred. "You" — he pointed his finger at Matsukawa" and the rest of you who believe in alienating the Americans are making a major mistake."
"Let's think about that for a moment," Matsukawa persisted, attempting to conceal his growing irritation. "China now has a rudimentary aircraft carrier, a large complement of Russian-built naval Su-27 jet fighters and Yak-141 supersonic vertical-takeoff-and-landing fighter-bombers. In the meantime they have been turning out vast quantities of MiG-31s from their own plant in the Guizhou province…" -
Before he continued, Matsukawa listened to the buzz as the men talked quietly among themselves.
"The Chinese," he informed the gurupu, "also have a number of MiG-29s with stowable in-flight refueling probes and a large number of Ilyushin-76 transports that have been converted to tankers and airborne warning-and-control aircraft. These modified airplanes are capable of escorting the fighters and bombers over extended ranges.
"As you know," he continued, "P'yongyang also has an arsenal of Nodong-1 missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Kyushu, Shikoku, and the lower regions of Honshu. With those threats staring us in the face, we have no choice but to increase our military forces."
Matsukawa was encouraged when he saw a few of the men indicate that they were in agreement with him. He could tell that he was getting the reaction and support the Prime Minister needed to carry out the plan.
The disgruntled man from Yamaichi Securities shook his head in disgust. "Democratic nations don't make war on each other. We're not going to see wars like we have in the past. Warfare has essentially become irrelevant. Our long-range goals should be to increase trade because the 'little tigers' are nipping at our heels."
"Unfortunately you are clearly wrong about war," Matsukawa countered. "Man will never change. The only change will be the weapons available to him at any given time."
The chief executive of the securities firm scowled in anger and again pointed a finger at Matsukawa. "You, and all the people like you, are the reason we can't have a stabilized, sensible, compassionate, merciful world."
A low, continuous series of hushed whispers floated through the room while Tadashi Matsukawa tried to control his temper and his tongue. He was not used to having anyone talk down to him. This was an insult that caused him to lose face in front of the most powerful body of men in Japan.
"As long as the Americans" — Matsukawa gazed menacingly at the securities executive—"continue to be the lawmen for the world, we have a reasonable chance of escaping warfare. But look at the situation that prevails. The Americans, at some date in the foreseeable future, are going to have to pay their multitrillion-dollar debt — which means they're going to have to continue shrinking their military forces."
Matsukawa locked the man in his icy stare. "When the U. S. Congress becomes financially desperate — when they're on their knees and completely insolvent — they will attempt to raise taxes and slash every budget in sight."
Hunching over the lectern, Matsukawa's voice became a low growl. "The deep cuts in domestic spending and huge taxes will pit the rich against the poor, the young against the old, the healthy against the sick — basically, the haves against the have-nots. Chaos and calamity is America's future, and we can't afford to sink with them. That's why we must continue to prepare ourselves to defend our country."
He took another sip of water to moisten his dry mouth. "If the American people," Matsukawa continued more lightly, "ever figure out how to get their nation and themselves out of debt, then I wouldn't be so worried.
"However," he. said with sudden intensity, "that isn't the case. The U. S. is headed for national bankruptcy and their politicians are too frightened to admit it to the people — or to themselves."
Matsukawa took a deep breath and tightly gripped the sides of the podium. "It is best for Japan. It is the only course for Japan. We must go head-to-head with the U. S!"
Matsukawa paused to sample the mood of the audience. He sensed that almost everyone agreed with him: Japan had to abolish further dependence on the United States and her wilting military.
Scanning the faces in the packed room, Matsukawa felt the heady rush of knowing that he was spearheading a dramatic change in the history of Japan. "All the indicators point to a showdown with the Americans, and we need to — do it very soon. The timing couldn't be better, especially after the savage attacks on our people at Pearl Harbor and Los Angeles. Those assaults have prompted us to take action, and the Japanese people are looking to us to restore the dignity and respect Japan once commanded."