Cautious but steady growth of Japanese activism

After years of avoiding the political limelight, Japan is moving cautiously but steadily to play a political and diplomatic role more commensurate with its economic strength. In the words of former Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu during his April-May 1991 trip to Southeast Asia, Japan “now hopes to play an appropriate role in the political sphere as a nation of peace”. The government of Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa has shown an even more ambitious attitude towards projecting Japan into the Asian and global political arena. Evidence of Japan's growing activism can be found in numerous diplomatic and regional leadership initiatives over the past several years. Less clear are the goals of Japanese activism, the ability of the Japanese political system to support a larger role, and the extent to which Japan's leadership will be accepted by other Asia-Pacific countries.

To date, Japan has pursued its expanded role within the framework of global partnership with the United States. Beneath the reality of close co-ordination and substantial policy agreement between Tokyo and Washington, however, lies another reality of a steady shift of power and influence in Japan's direction and increasing Japanese policy divergence. At almost every point in time, Japan has preferred that the United States take the lead on issues relating to the stability of the region, but it has indicated a willingness to take the initiative when necessary to protect its interests and further its own agenda. This process is most apparent in Southeast Asia, and is increasingly evident in policies towards China and the Korean peninsula.

In one sense, Japan's current diplomatic activism, and the balance between its economic and political roles in the region follow a long established pattern. Japanese Prime Ministers have been conducting personal diplomacy in the region for decades, normally, as now, amidst scepticism and with doubtful effect.