Japan's Emerging Security Role in East Asia

Transcript

MUTHIAH ALAGAPPA: In terms of material capabilities, Japan still has the second-largest economy but it has been stagnant, unable to fully reinvigorate itself for more than a decade. This has affected the self-confidence of the Japanese public and the political leadership and has negatively affected the international image of Japan as a power and as a model for emulation. Unlike in the 1970's and 1980's, when Japan was the only leading Asian power, it now has to contend with other Asian powers, especially China, whose economy is growing rapidly and which seeks to be the premier Asian power.

The rise of China, and to some degree, India, is happening in the context of American dominance that appears likely to last at least for the medium term.

Japan still aspires to the major restoration goal of being a world power but seems uncertain of how to achieve this. Greatness through conquest and empire in Asia ended in defeat and humiliation. Greatness through a shiny economy, a model for emulation by the Asian states, and leadership of Asia through economic integration on Japanese terms was short-lived.

Given these conditions, it appears that Japan now sees itself not as a leading power but as one of several powers in Asia and the world. This is a climb-down from the 1980's but it does not make Japan unimportant.

The above domestic and international changes are substantial but they do not constitute a sea change that requires a complex overhaul of the strategy that has been in place. There is also no political support for a radical shift in strategy. However, there's growing support for some major changes. . .

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