More than 70 years have passed since Japan and Sri Lanka established diplomatic ties. Relations between the two countries were at an excellent level during the period of President J. R. Jayewardene. Senior Professor of the Kelaniya University Patrick Ratnayake explains how President Ranil Wickremesinghe has succeeded in further strengthening relations.
Q: Why do you think Japan is closer to us socially, culturally and economically rather than any other country on the world map?
A: Our country is one that is located at the Western end of the Asian world. Japan is located at the edge of the Far-East. Although they are located at two ends, there are certain facts that are common to both countries. A common characteristic of Asian culture is mainly consuming rice. This culture which is based on rice and the paddy fields is called ‘insakubunka’ in Japanese. This cultural characteristic is common to us as well as to Japan. At first glance we can think that Japan is based on technology and industry. However, that opinion is incorrect. The country of Japan and society is based on agriculture. Based on this, we can get an idea from Japanese society about the contribution that can be made from the agriculture industry for the development of a country. The next factor is Buddhism. The culture centred on Buddhism and agriculture has become a great common factor between the two countries. Accordingly, if there is a country suitable for us to follow on the world map, it is none other than Japan.
Q: Although there are Buddhists in Japan, according to statistics, the number ofBuddhists are less when compared to the population, isn't that so?
A: If we select 100 Japanese people and ask them what their religion is, it is possible that 90% will answer without a doubt that they do not have a religion. The reason for this is because they do not consider Buddhism as a religion but as a philosophy. We should understand that both these countries travel according to the same cultural stream. There is a belief that Bodhi Dharma Thera who took Buddhism to Japan in 553 AD was a Sri Lankan Bikkhu. There is such a distant connection between us. At the same time there is a language similarity as well.
Q: It was in 1952 that ambassadorial relations between Japan and Sri Lanka began. How was the historic speech made by J. R.Jayewardene at the San Francisco Conference in 1951 have an impact on this?
A: The peace conference held in San Francisco, at War Memorial Opera House on September 6, in the year 1951, was a factor that resulted in changing world politics that exist today in the world. At this conference, Japan and Germany were on one side while all other countries were in another separate camp. It was Finance Minister J. R. Jayewardene and Minister R. G. Senanayake who participated in this conference, representing Sri Lanka. Here, all countries lined up to impose economic sanctions against Japan. On this occasion, J. R. Jayewardene delivered a historical speech based on the Buddhist philosophy that “hatred should be tempered by compassion”. It is a miracle of fate that a nephew of former President J. R. Jayewardene who made that speech is the Head of State at this time. This is an opportunity we have received as a country to increase the love for Sri Lanka, Japan has and to correct certain instances where we went wrong.
It is apparent that the Japanese considered our country as very powerful by giving the Sri Lanka Embassy a place close to the American Embassy. Our ambassadors took forward this connection. A memorial plaque of the first Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan Susantha Fonseka has been constructed in Fukushima. I have met elderly Japanese nationals in Fukusima who say that, “It was this ambassador who bought us shoes and socks to enable us to go to Tokyo.”
However, in the immediate past, the non-aligned policy has been lost in our economic plans. Due to the balance in our economic and foreign policies collapsing, Japan distanced itself from us. The best example is the Monorail Light Rail Project. Then, as citizens we put forward facts on behalf of the country. I got to know that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had expressed regret over this during his recent tour and confirmed the goodwill between the two countries.
Q: Didn’t our country receive some very significant donations during the tenure of President J. R. Jayewardene?
A: Subsequent to J. R. Jayewardene’s retirement, Emperor Akihito invited him to that country to live as an honourable citizen in Japan. He rejected that invitation. Therefore, as a gift to him, they donated the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital. They allocated a special room for President Jayewardene in that hospital. In this way, as donations made this way during that period of administration, they built the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the main building of the National Educational Institution.
In addition, they have helped develop the fields of highways and industrial factories. At the same time, every time we faced an economic crisis, Japan has helped as a relative and friend in the fields of food, nutrition, health and sanitation.
The current President can be considered as the only leadership that can repair the damaged friendship between the two countries with the kinship and policy relationship with President Jayewardene.
Q: Huge assistance has been received from Japan to rebuild the economy in Sri Lanka. When restructuring debt Japan acted as a mediator. How do you see this connection?
A: Japan always helped us, not to establish their politics and economy in this country but as a cordial friend. They provided loans and assistance to encourage us. The source of the Official Development Assistance (ODA), the official development programme of Japan, was their history of rising from the ashes. This is also true of the aid they provide to Sri Lanka.
The ODA, on one hand, focused on socio-economic infrastructure facilities development and private investments. On the other hand, by improving the environment for investment it resulted in multiplying the growth of the economy. During the immediate past, our country faced an economic decline. The reason was that our country has turned to a corrupt culture dependent on loan aid.
However, according to Japanese culture, when having a cup of tea at a shop, leaving a tip is wrong. Japanese society has been built on understanding and equality. When a worker who sweeps the train, a farmer, or the prime minister travels on a train you cannot identify them separately. Whoever travels on the train wears a tie and coat. We have to understand this fact.
Q: As a long-term trusted friend, how do you see Japan's contribution to development and nation building?
A: The Japan - Sri Lanka Friendship Organization is a main institution that intervenes to improve ties between the two countries. Former Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda heads this. During the past he helped us in amazing ways. When the LTTE war was raging he raised his voice on our behalf in Japan’s assembly and political field. Similarly, late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and present Prime Minister Fumio Kishidacan are identified as those who are taking it forward.
During the period of the LTTE war there were times when we did not receive the full support of foreign countries. On such occasions, in order to eradicate the imbalance, Yasushi Akashi and Yasuo Fukuda stood up on behalf of our country and made a special contribution. More than all of these things, during every difficult moment we had to face, the Japanese people and society were always with us. Succeeding once again in strengthening the friendship between the two countries during the visit to Japan of President Wickremesinghe, I consider as an important fact.
Q: Japan which had totally collapsed after World War II later achieved rapid development. How can we apply their country's economic model to our economic development?
A: Neo-Liberalism is the basis of economic thinking active in Japan and in the thinking of Jayewardene-Wickremesinghe. All three modes of thought are monotonously similar. In 1978, President Jayewardene made a big change in our country's economy and took steps towards an economic renaissance. Many sectors of the economy were separated from the public enterprises sector and referred to the private sector. By transforming the private sector into an important part of the economy, Japan achieved rapid development. However, there is a bitter past regarding private enterprise in our country. The reason for this is the wrong way that the officials and politicians of our country followed during privatization.
Problems have arisen because the privatization process in our country is not people-centred but entrepreneurs-centred. However, in countries like Japan, all sectors such as railways, buses, and airlines have been privatized in such a way that the people get the benefits of comfort etc.
However, privatization means a situation where people receive relief through competition. It is clear from the way President Ranil Wickremesinghe privatized the distribution of fuel that he is attempting to connect the private sector correctly to the economy. It is similar to the procedure that exists in Japan. When you go for a competitive method, the prices in four filling stations in the same city change in a competitive way. Vehicle care services received by owners, increase. The profit from that goes to the people. It is important that people understand the method that the President is trying to follow.
The method that Japan follows regarding agriculture can be made relevant to our country too. There is a farmer organisation method that is being actively implemented in Japan. The President has an objective of implementing a new agricultural corporation in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Then by increasing the use of new technology and the standard of tourism it will be possible to obtain from these provinces, more of a contribution towards the economy. A developed economy can be created through this. Although Ranil Wickremesinghe held the post of Prime Minister previously, he did not have full powers or authority then. However, as the Executive President we can see a great personality in improving relations with Japan.
Q: Subsequent to becoming President, Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in an official visit to Japan for the first-time last September. Will it be confirmed that he will place more weight on Japan regionally by visiting the country once again within a short period of time?
A: The President's first visit to Japan was not arranged in the way he wanted. It was a diplomatic intervention to express condolences on the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
However, this visit took place in conjunction with the G7 Summit which was being held in Hiroshima. During this visit, in addition to the political leadership, the President met representatives of voluntary associations and trade associations. During this conference, the President succeeded in obtaining the support of all countries to restructure debt.
Also, I believe that the speech he delivered at the conference on democracy and human rights had the effect of changing the negative image of our country. President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of Asian states raising their voices to shape the role of the region in the face of global geopolitical behaviour. In addition, the President delivered a special speech addressing the '28th International Conference on the Future of Asia' held in Tokyo. In this Nikkei Asia Conference, he explained the importance of understanding the diversity of countries and the democratic values of Asia. Since a large number of people including journalists were present at this conference, it can be considered as an opportunity which confirmed the image of our country.
Also, during this trip, the President held talks with world leaders including the Deputy Prime Ministers of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohammed. Therefore, this visit can be considered as an opportunity which renewed Asian relations. During this visit, Japan's Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshi Masha, Finance Minister Suzuki Tsuniichi, and Digital Affairs Minister Taro Kono held bilateral talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Therefore, these discussions can be considered as an effective intervention.
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