DIPLOMATIC RETOOLING NEEDED IN FACE OF CHINA
Masami Ito
The Japan Times, January 1, 2010
First in a series
A little more than 60 years ago Japan was a battered, defeated nation.
The people marshaled their strength and wisdom, devoted themselves to rebuilding the nation, and in just a few decades Japan rose from the ashes as one of the leading countries of the world.
But recently, with the rise of China and other economies in Asia, Japan's position as a major power is growing increasingly shaky. In fields ranging from diplomacy to manufacturing to education to entertainment, Japan is now being challenged by emerging competitors.
In diplomacy, major players, particularly the United States, are closely watching China, which has been spreading its influence around the world in recent years. For Japan to maintain its place in the international community, it needs to shift from the old "follow the U.S." diplomacy to one that better balances its relationships with both the U.S. and China, analysts say.
China has succeeded in boosting its presence with double-digit increases in defense spending for 21 years in a row, and now its gross domestic product is just a step away from topping Japan's.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. led the world in 2008 with GDP of $14.441 trillion, followed by Japan at $4.910 trillion. China was right behind with $4.327 trillion. The IMF estimates that in 2010, China will surpass Japan in GDP.
Masami Ito
The Japan Times, January 1, 2010
First in a series
A little more than 60 years ago Japan was a battered, defeated nation.
The people marshaled their strength and wisdom, devoted themselves to rebuilding the nation, and in just a few decades Japan rose from the ashes as one of the leading countries of the world.
But recently, with the rise of China and other economies in Asia, Japan's position as a major power is growing increasingly shaky. In fields ranging from diplomacy to manufacturing to education to entertainment, Japan is now being challenged by emerging competitors.
In diplomacy, major players, particularly the United States, are closely watching China, which has been spreading its influence around the world in recent years. For Japan to maintain its place in the international community, it needs to shift from the old "follow the U.S." diplomacy to one that better balances its relationships with both the U.S. and China, analysts say.
China has succeeded in boosting its presence with double-digit increases in defense spending for 21 years in a row, and now its gross domestic product is just a step away from topping Japan's.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. led the world in 2008 with GDP of $14.441 trillion, followed by Japan at $4.910 trillion. China was right behind with $4.327 trillion. The IMF estimates that in 2010, China will surpass Japan in GDP.
Zhu Jianrong, a professor of international relations and Chinese political affairs at Toyo Gakuen University, said the U.S. is trying to develop a new "cooperating relationship" with China while maintaining its alliance with Japan.
(...) [artículo aquí]
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