History of “Japan in the Asia-Pacific” by M. Connors Essay

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Updated: Feb 17th, 2024

Introduction

With the increasing tension and struggle for both economic and political control, the world powerhouses are busy formulating laws. These rules are geared towards enabling the superpowers to bargain more political and economic control. However, Japan, the second-largest economy in the world, is using a different approach. In the pursuit of economic prowess, the Japanese government has adopted the non-interventionist policy; this seeks to avoid an imminent conflict of interest with other powers.

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Main Body

The above policy seems to favor Japan. Japanese ambassador to the UK iterated this point arguing that the neutral stand will significantly benefit Asia’s most powerful nation. However, economists remain skeptical terming Japan’s non-interventionist policy as “reactive and exceptional.” According to the Realist Theory, “unrealized powers” like Japan can utilize its neutral policy to the argument for significant economic diplomacy in the international system. The Japanese foreign policies are extremely restrictive because it entails a lot of bureaucratic procedures. A section of economists expresses their frustrations arguing that Japan has an entrepreneurial system at the expense of foreign policy.

The US has for a long time developed an interest in Asian territory. In the year 1853, the US wrote a letter compelling Japan to open itself for trading activities with the Western World. Prior to the Edo period (1600-1868), the Japanese government had not modernized its states; this letter ended that period and signaled the onset of intensive trading activities with the US. Massive industrialization marked this time.

Japan adopted more conservative ideologies ranging from the ethical code of Samurai to the ritual of Emperor Worship. These ideas seek to mobilize a significant Japanese population towards industrialization, militarization, and imperialistic expansion. Unfortunately, the Allied presence in Japan since 1945, for six years compromised its economic stability. The US championed the democratization process of communist Japan as well as demilitarizing Asia’s powerhouse. The Western States adopted an indirect strategy that seeks to ensure that Japan intensifies its political activities in the international scene. This approach raises a question; should the

Japanese government conform to the Western Pressure and adopt the interventionist policy, or it should remain neutral on international affairs?

A more conservative regime led by the Liberal Democratic Party came into power from the year 1955-1993. Politicians, bureaucrats, businesses men and farmers became united under this regime. This merger acted as a pointer to the much needed economic nationalization.

Japan’s increased interaction with the world’s leading economy compromises its relationship with China and entire Southeast Asia. Experts on international economics warn that the Anti-Communist principle is directed towards China. The two Asia-Pacific states signed a declaration that advocated the separation of economics from politics. The statement spelled out the terms clearly, and trade between the two countries bloomed amid the significant friction resulting from the Japan-US relationship and china’s nuclear testing.

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The Japanese “Diplomatic Bluebook” of the year 2002 entailed the retention of the US-Japan relationship, moderate military establishment, and peacekeeping missions in the world. This declaration recognized the Asia-Pacific diplomatic policies on security while at the same time maintaining a significant bilateral contact with the West. Currently, Japan’s position on safety in the international scene is slowly shifting towards a more militarized stand. This latest development raises yet another question. Should the Japanese government pursue its economic prowess through conflict avoidance, or should it engage in an arms race like the rest of the superpowers?

Conclusion

Article 9 of the Japanese constitution advocates self-defense in the sense that Japan will commit itself to the peacekeeping mission. According to political analysts, this article will lobby for the US-led fight against terrorism.

Radical individuals perceive Japan’s failure to control the US’s influence in the region as a potential challenge that signifies the US hegemonic presence in the Asia-Pacific region. Southeast Asia sees this perspective as an outrageous move by Japan to advance capitalism. For instance, China is a communist state and will not tolerate capitalistic ideas.

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IvyPanda. (2024, February 17). History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors. https://ivypanda.com/essays/history-of-japan-in-the-asia-pacific-by-m-connors/

Work Cited

"History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors." IvyPanda, 17 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/history-of-japan-in-the-asia-pacific-by-m-connors/.

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IvyPanda. (2024) 'History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors'. 17 February.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors." February 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/history-of-japan-in-the-asia-pacific-by-m-connors/.

1. IvyPanda. "History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors." February 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/history-of-japan-in-the-asia-pacific-by-m-connors/.


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IvyPanda. "History of "Japan in the Asia-Pacific" by M. Connors." February 17, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/history-of-japan-in-the-asia-pacific-by-m-connors/.

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