Home » Leading the U.S. delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games Biden sent the first lady as the “platform” for Japan

Leading the U.S. delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games Biden sent the first lady as the “platform” for Japan

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Leading the U.S. delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo OlympicsFly into the homes of ordinary people

The White House announced on the 13th that the first lady Jill will lead the US delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on the 23rd.

The epidemic has cast a shadow over the Olympics, and politicians from various countries expressed concern and hesitation about whether to attend the opening ceremony. The first lady of the United States decided to “take a risk” to come, and it seemed that Japan had given much face. What mission did Jill take to give the Tokyo Olympic “platform”?

Picture source: Oriental IC

First show in a solo visit

A senior White House official revealed that US President Biden will not participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games with the first lady. “New York Times” reported that this is the first lady’s first solo foreign visit. This will be Jill’s second time to attend the Olympics. In 2010, her husband, who was the Vice President of the United States at any time, participated in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Despite repeated epidemics in Japan, the White House still showed support for the Olympics. After Tokyo entered a state of emergency, White House Press Secretary Psaki said: “President Biden supports the Tokyo Olympics and Japan’s public health measures to protect athletes, staff, and spectators.”

“It depends on the first lady’s own attitude. I think for the time being, Japan’s epidemic prevention work is quite strict, and I have no reason to worry about her health.” Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert and the president’s chief medical adviser, was also right. The first lady’s trip to Tokyo is full of confidence.

But there is not only one voice in American society.

“As an important ally of the United States, Japan is making rapid progress in vaccinating its people with the new crown vaccine, but due to the shortage of vaccine supply, this momentum has stalled.” The Associated Press expressed concern about Japan’s vaccination situation.

“I hope she won’t go.” “The new crown has already appeared variants, or don’t go, I have a bad feeling.” Some American netizens on social media also oppose it.

Japan is grateful

In stark contrast to the concerns of the Americans, it is the excitement of the Japanese.

As soon as the news came out that the first lady of the United States will attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Masanobu Kato immediately welcomed it.

Japanese media also rushed to watch.

Japan’s Kyodo News Agency believes that Jill may start first lady diplomacy, including the possibility of meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and other dignitaries on behalf of her husband.

“The 2012 London Olympics was when the first lady Michelle attended the Olympic Games in place of President Obama.” The Yomiuri Shimbun stated that it is not without precedent that the first lady attended the Olympic Games in place of the president.

The Jiji News Agency analyzed: “By sending the first lady to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, President Biden aims to demonstrate the importance of the (U.S.-Japan) alliance.”

It is true that at a time when the Japanese government of Yoshihide Suga is struggling with the epidemic and the economy, the attendance of the first lady of the United States is like sending money in snow.

“If the first lady of the United States does not come, Japan will be disappointed.” Hu Lingyuan, director of the Japanese Studies Center of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University, believes, “Anyway, at the moment when the epidemic in Japan has not been completely controlled, the first lady of the United States can’ The’adventure’ came to highlight the importance that the United States attaches to its allies, and Japan will definitely be grateful.”

U.S. hidden considerations

Behind the selection of candidates, there are hidden considerations of the US government.

Hu Lingyuan said that the visit of the first lady of the United States may have two effects. One is the political effect, which is an encouragement for Japan, a positive advancement of alliance relations for the United States and Japan, and a demonstration for other US allies. The second is the social effect. Jill’s trip is not only to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, but also to participate in a series of activities in the follow-up, and may meet and exchange with female representatives and local politicians. This kind of first lady diplomacy can reflect something other than political diplomacy, and the Japanese people can also feel the support of the United States for Japan.

According to Cai Liang, the secretary-general and researcher of the China-Japan Relations Research Center of the Shanghai Institute of International Studies, although the symbolic meaning is greater, the candidates to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games are still very important. “For some time, the United States has been calling on countries to participate in the Tokyo Olympics at various international conferences. Seeing that the opening day of the Olympics is approaching, the United States, as Japan’s most important ally, always needs to express its stance. When Biden was unable to participate because of the epidemic and his age. The choice of whether to choose the first lady or Secretary of State Brinken to attend as the president’s special envoy conveys different meanings.” Cai Liang believes that the first lady is a better choice for the United States, which can highlight the United States’ support for Japan. Reflecting the solidity of the Japan-US alliance can also add points to the Yoshihide Suga government.

However, despite the US “platform”, the Yoshihide Suga government still faces a huge test. Rather than demonstrating the sense of security brought about by the Japan-US alliance “solid as a rock”, the Japanese people hope that this is a “safe and secure” Olympics.

The latest poll results show that global interest in the Tokyo Olympics has decreased due to the epidemic, and the enthusiasm of the Japanese people is almost the lowest. Is Japan really ready?

Wang Ruoxian

Editor: Zhao Juling

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