JAPAN - Can this nation develop an independent foreign policy

JAPAN - Can this nation develop an independent foreign policy?

The ending of World War Two was a very long time ago, however, in Japan it appears that time is standing still because this nation is over compliant towards the USA. Surely this nation must stand on her own two feet? So can Japan revolutionize her thinking and establish an independent foreign policy?

Firstly, this article is not aimed at anti-American thinking, it merely applies to the need for Japan to develop an independent foreign and monetary policy. Of course relations should remain strong with the USA and shared interests will be natural, however, at the moment it appears that Japan is a mere "lacky" of America and this simply isn`t good enough. So of course both nations must continue to foster close relations but not at the expense of Japan`s independence.

Ex-PM Abe hinted at a shared alliance based on "democratic principles" and this applies to America, Australia, India, and New Zealand, respectively. Also, ex-PM Abe focused on NATO and how Japan can play her role within this institution. Much of his domestic thinking was a little strange and out of step with public opinion, however, his foreign policy objectives did make sense. Yet the one weakness was that Japan would still remain to be "toothless" when it came to America.

So can a future political leader stand up and be counted? I certainly hope so because how can Japan be trusted within the international community if nations don`t take her independence seriously? This is a serious issue because Japan desires to become a permanent member of the United Nations but under the current circumstances, then many nations have reservations about this. Given this reality, it is vital for Japan to change direction and embrace not only Asia but the international community.

If Japan does not change her thinking then her reputation within the international community will be further weakened and regional nations, for example China and the Russian Federation, will merely ignore Japan`s thinking and they will not trust her motives. Therefore, the time is right to transform her military doctrine and her foreign policy because the current "lackey" status is hindering Japan. Surely Japan wants to be known for being independent and playing a leading role within the United Nations and other major institutions.

This also applies to her monetary policies because even in this field it is clear that Japan is not doing what she really desires. For example around 90% of all her reserves are held in either American bonds or in the dollar. Yet with the current demise of the dollar, then is this policy justified? Also, what about supporting the Japanese yen? To me this policy is either naive at best or at worse it is further evidence about her limited independence. Once more, Japan must diversify her monetary policies and look to the Euro, gold, and other currencies or international bonds, while of course still holding dollars and American bonds, but not at the current level.

So can Japan develop a new way? Sadly, under the current leaders of Japan then this answer may still be no. The growing power of the opposition, however, may lead to change because they claim to be more independent minded. Yet the "cracks within her compliant policies" still appear to be thin on the ground. Therefore, for the time being it will be the same over compliant Japan but maybe on the horizon is a new way via the rise of China and via the rise of the political opposition?

Lee Jay Walker Dip BA MA

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