Japan is trying to fill the vacuum created by the U.S.’s withdrawal from East Asian affairs.
What is the need?
China’s ascent combined with the unreliability of a Trump-led U.S. is causing Tokyo to rethink its diplomatic initiatives in Asia.
While it has been under US’s security net for long, it no longer believes that the U.S. defence umbrella is sufficient for its security.
Also the US’s “America First Policy” is expected to lead to an overall withdrawal of US interests in the east Asian region.
Notably, Japan is in a restless neighbourhood, with North Korea’s relentless missile program and China’s aggressive posturing.
What are Japan's recent responses?
Initiating new security dialogues and developing multilateral trade agreements are currently being prioritised by Japan.
Constitutional Clause - Japan has been having a pacifist constitution since the 2nd world war.
As, it was written just after the war devastation under US assistance and severely restricted military budgets and capacity expansion.
Notably, PM Shinzo Abe has currently promised to revise the restrictive sections to enhance military spending and capabilities.
Commerce – Chinese growing influence in the region through commercial and strategic partnerships is getting to be a concern for Japan.
Tokyo is focussing on its capital and technological expertise to influence countries in the region and beyond to counter China.
Financial Power - Japan is stepping up aid and investment in Southeast Asia.
Such financing has more than doubled in the last 5 years.
It has aided the construction of a train line near Manila, a seaport in Cambodia, war reconstruction efforts in Philippines and multiple projects in Vietnam.
The sales pitches have almost always been by contrasting their products with China’s in terms of safety and reliability.
TPP - With the U.S.’s departure from Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), Japan has become the principal driving force behind it.
Notably, at the recent “Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit” in Vietnam, Japan convinced all members on board to agree on the “core elements” of the TPP deal.
Quadrilateral Alliance - The Quad (that has Japan, India, US & Australia as members) has been envisioned with the phrasing “a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
This is seemingly an open counter to China’s territorial claims over the South China Sea, through which nearly 30% of world’s trade flows.
How does the future look?
Japan is aware that unilateral moves would invariably invoke images of militarism and expansionism, which is undesirable.
Hence, it wants to use the bilateral ties to create a multilateral architecture in the region.
However, Japan’s aggressions during the 2nd world war has generated considerable hatred for it in the region, which is challenging to mend.
