Mr. Joergen Jensen wrote a provocative letter to the editor to The Japan Times by criticizing the Japanese concerns for the North Korea's rocket launch. His three main points are as follows, and I will respond immediately after each point.

First Point: "Many Japanese are busy reminding the world that Japan was forced into the attack of Pearl Harbor by the United States. Shouldn't the Japanese remember their arguments and be aware of the harm the economical sanctions imposed on North Korea by Japan might do?" Response: Because I am not Japanese, I cannot provide a defense from their perspective per se, but I will reject the argument that Japan was indeed "forced" to attack Pearl Harbor due to economic sanctions. This does not, however, strengthen Mr. Jensen's point, because Japan during her imperial time was actually looking for economic and industrial expansion, so economic sanctions did play a critical role in her decision making powers. It should be noted that the North Koreans have adopted a self-sustaining economic system to which the totalitarian state attempts to become self sustainable with its own economy. Thus, I do not think the harm done by economic sanctions against North Korea today would be as great as it had been done against the Japan.

Second Point: "Why shouldn't North Korea be allowed to test its rockets, whatever their purpose may be? The U.S. has never hesitated to test rockets or nuclear weapons, and Japan enjoys hypocritically hiding under the U.S. nuclear umbrella." This point has the underlying assumption that we live in a fair world in terms of actors, who are made up of sovereign countries. However, with the security and economic hegemonic dominance of the United States, although I concede that it is deteriorating, we are living in a world where the hegemon plays a critical role in ensuring a blanket of stability in the region, like it or not. So, why shouldn't North Korea be allowed to test its rockets? The answer is simple. According to the eyes of the United States, such test is the disruption of stability in the region, and as a hegemon the United States has an obligation in the International community to ensure stability, especially in East Asia. Mr. Jensen will rightfully point out that this is not fair, but my objection is that this is how the world works for now. It should be noted that my objection is not a moral justification for the United States but merely a justification based on some International Relations theory.

Third Point: "Why exactly is it that Japan needs to launch rockets to put up satellites? The U.S. and European Union have launching facilities and it would have been much cheaper for Japan to ask the U.S. or EU to launch its satellites. Japan has numerous rocket test centers spread over the country, including several in Akita Prefecture." This answer is quite simple. There is a motivation by the Japanese government to illuminate its pride to the world community by launching its own rockets. National pride is critical to its culture, and it would be unthinkable for any Japanese to sell its pride away by outsourcing its rocket launching capabilities to other countries for the sake of reducing cost.

I hope my response provided some clarity to the North Korea rocket situation.