Comments on Observing Japan: What's normal?

Anonymous,Precisely — and yet some Japanese politi...

2008-06-18T22:56:54.086+09:00

Anonymous,

Precisely — and yet some Japanese politicians would prefer to charter a new, more belligerent course that "abandons" the postwar legacy.

"Aggressive and arrogant neighbors?" I assume that's shorthand for China, and to a lesser extent the two Koreas. Why not just come out and say who you mean instead of hiding behind euphemisms? In any case, how has China been aggressive? (Neither defense modernization nor bellicose rhetoric count.) The reality is that China has been extremely cooperative in settling border disputes with its neighbors and has actually abjured from settling conflict by using force.

"An analysis by M. Taylor Fravel of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2005 showed that of the sixteen land-frontier disputes China has had with its neighbors since 1949, it has attempted compromises in all of them and has succeeded in resolving fourteen: with Burma, Nepal, North Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia (three disputes), Laos, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The two unresolved disputes are one with Bhutan, and the dispute already outlined with India." — Bill Emmott, Rivals, p. 262

As for arrogance, well, arrogance seems to be a typical quality of rising powers, for better or worse.

Meanwhile, yes, survival is the top priority of states, but beyond survival there is a long list of options for state priorities. Do you honestly believe that Japan is in grave peril as a nation? Not only does Japan enjoy a security guarantee from the US, not only does Japan possess one of the most capable militaries in the world, but there is a prevailing norm against interstate war that is not violated lightly. (For evidence of this norm, look at the global protests that greeted the US war in Iraq, which remains an exception that proves the rule, or, in this case, the norm.) Japan has the luxury of thinking beyond mere survival and reflecting how best to enhance its influence. It does not need to live in a permanent defensive crouch.

I have no tolerance for unsubstantiated fearmongering.

"Japan can forge a new path for the 21st century w...

2008-06-18T22:36:00.000+09:00

"Japan can forge a new path for the 21st century which is more constructive and fraternal rather than aggressive and arrogant to gain the respect of other nations."

Not only "can"but that's what Japan has been doing from mid 20th century.

And we are surrounded by aggressice and arrogant neighbors.
Gaining respect shouldn't be on the top list of the nation.
The survival should be.

The view that Japan is today a victim of US occupa...

2008-06-15T10:28:00.000+09:00

The view that Japan is today a victim of US occupation and hegemony over its own political power stands in sharp contrast to the view in the US that Japan is not contributing its share to its own security and is getting a free ride from the US security shield. Ross Perot made an issue of this during the 1992 campaign but it still has widespread support though rarely mentioned in the press today. I lean towards Tobias Harris's view in this article that Japan can make the most of this relationship by (continuing) to pursue a peaceful non-hegemonic path in world affairs. This need not become a totally uninvolved path. Japan can use its wealth and advanced technical capabilities to benefit other nations in non-military areas. The idea that other nations can only respect Japan through its military muscle is indeed 19th centuryesque ideology as Tobias claims. Japan can forge a new path for the 21st century which is more constructive and fraternal rather than aggressive and arrogant to gain the respect of other nations.

Japan is basically "The Lebannon of East Asia".She...

2008-06-12T13:04:00.000+09:00

Japan is basically "The Lebannon of East Asia".
She can't make it's own decision and it's fragile political structure can only agree to disagree and has been constantly the arena of political football of surrounding nations.
The foreign troops station in the name of the protection,but in reality using our soil for their own strategic agenda.And anyone who challenge such regime gets politically sucked.

Although I agree that Japan's role in the world ha...

2008-06-12T01:42:00.000+09:00

Although I agree that Japan's role in the world has been largely positive, I see where the conservatives are coming from when they want a "normal nation." Their country is home to 50,000 foreign soldiers, while their own government is constitutionally prohibited from building an effective military of its own. Moreover, that constitution was written not by any citizen of their own country, but by people from that same foreign nation that maintains the 50,000 troops.

So maybe Japanese conservatives just don't want to live in an occupied nation anymore. They want independence for their nation - which means military as well as political independence. I kind of sympathize with that.

Have you read Robert Cooper's Breaking of Nations?...

2008-06-12T00:02:00.000+09:00

Have you read Robert Cooper's Breaking of Nations? It touches on your thoughts about ideologies and generations. Short and well worth the read.

"to exert power through money is ignoble"I always ...

2008-06-11T21:05:00.000+09:00

"to exert power through money is ignoble"

I always thougt Japan was the perfect exemple of the illusion that money gives you power.I don't know if it's ignoble but if we look at the EU or Japan's experience, it certainly look ineffective.

Despite all the money invested, what is the influence of the EU on the palestinians and the Israeli?Zero.

And in Asia, what did japan get for all the aid given to it's neighbours?Not much.It is still regarded with suspicion by its neighbours.