Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto Asahi said in a post today: "Today, I welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Tokyo and held a summit. I am very pleased to meet again after the APEC leaders' meeting in November last year. Mark once worked in Tokyo, and I sincerely welcome him to visit Japan - Mark, welcome back. Canada is one of our most important strategic partners in advancing the 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' strategy and sharing common responsibilities, and an irreplaceable like-minded country. Given the current international situation, the importance of Japan-Canada relations has reached an unprecedented height. I will elevate Japan-Canada relations to a new level of 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' and signed a joint statement between Japan and Canada."

During this visit, both sides also agreed to:

• Further strengthen security cooperation

• Launch economic security dialogue

• Initiate cyber policy consultations

• Further enhance information sharing and mutual cooperation related to protecting citizens of both countries, etc.

We also had an open exchange on the Indo-Pacific region and the international situation, including the current situation in Iran.

At the dinner just now, Mark learned that my birthday is tomorrow, March 7, and specially prepared a birthday cake for me. This cake features the symbols of the two countries - cherry blossoms and maple leaves, which are very cute, and I ate it very happily. I sincerely thank Mark for this warm blessing. Mark also gave me a drumstick made from Canadian wood; as a gift, I presented Mark, who was active as an ice hockey player in his student days, with an ice hockey stick to commemorate this visit. In 2028, the next year, Japan and Canada will celebrate the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Under today's 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership', I wish to work with Mark to jointly open a new chapter in Japan-Canada relations toward this historic milestone."

Comments: Japan and Canada have comprehensively enhanced cooperation in areas such as security, economic security, and cyber policy, even incorporating the Middle East's Iran situation into coordinated topics. Essentially, they aim to align positions globally and jointly counterbalance. Hashimoto Asahi's active promotion of the Japan-Canada Comprehensive Strategic Partnership essentially uses Japan's right-wing tendency to be pro-Western and group together, strengthening the security expansion path. On one hand, it deepens the Indopacific bloc layout through Canada, fully aligning with Western alliances in security, economic security, and cyber fields. On the other hand, it uses international hot topics to increase its presence and create public opinion justifications for domestic constitutional amendment and military strengthening. On the surface, it is friendly diplomacy, but in reality, it serves its own political position and the strategic ambitions of Japan's right wing, binding bilateral relations to geopolitical confrontation.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1858964667207819/

Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.