For those of you who have not been watching, a New World is upon us. LOL, you would really have to be watching some old cartoons or something to miss this one.
My question/curiosity concerning Japan is how people think Japan should arrange itself within this new world order.
Considering the following:
First: America is the only superpower but not the hyperpower the French press presents us as. America needs allies as much as it has in the past 50 years. But so do other countries. The french are proposing regional bloc constructions to balance out one another and with their respective spheres of influence (same old 19th century stuff). America is proposing a vast organization of tightly knit 'democracies' who would work together but not under the UN. There are other options besides.
Second: Japan is a sorely underrated and underactuated country/culture. It might come as some surprise to readers here and abroad that the Pentegon, in a recent assessment of military matters worldwide, considers only two countries on the earth capable of manifesting themselves in a manner that would not only severely hamper america's military might but present exceedingly powerful military counterbalances - The United Kingdom and Japan. The assessment is based on technical know how, available money for development, regional necessity, military doctrine and that intangible 'national will.'
Next, Japanpays only a few million doallrs less to the UN than does the US. Together, Japan and the US pay for 50%of the UNs bills.
Further, though I do not have the latest figures on hand, Japan's economy consistently ranks in the top 5 and, unlike continental Europe's economy, may be stagnant but is not expected to spiral down but to pick back up and gain steam again (that pesky banking problem).
Next on this matter, Japanese culture is widely and openly accepted, at least in America. And yes, there are probably as many Americans worried about the influence of Japanes culture as there are Japanese worried about the influence of American culture (strange thing that). In this matter, the cultural exchange seems to be positive from this end.
Finally on this subject, Japan could potentially have as much affect on American international politics as does the UK. Germany was positionied to be that country but Schroeder has scuppered that possibility. I think it mistaken to underestimate Japanese leadership and the influence they can bring to bear in the US. I do not even think most Japanese politicians realize this.
Third: A rising Chinese power has to be addressed economically and... though it seems antiquated... militarily. (it is only antiquated in progressive, wealthy, stable, countries). The question is, with two competing economies of might (China/ USA) and two mighty armies (China/USA) should Japan throw its lot in with the close neighbor (China) or far neighbor (USA).
Fourth: Korea - - whoooooo, who knows what the heck is going on here?
Fifth: Slow dissolution of the UNs capacity to act .
Sixth: Continued rise of other 'Asian Tigers.'
So, I am wondering, should Japan mark its own course, throw inits lot with the USA, China, or some combination of the three or four or five.
pokeman
My question/curiosity concerning Japan is how people think Japan should arrange itself within this new world order.
Considering the following:
First: America is the only superpower but not the hyperpower the French press presents us as. America needs allies as much as it has in the past 50 years. But so do other countries. The french are proposing regional bloc constructions to balance out one another and with their respective spheres of influence (same old 19th century stuff). America is proposing a vast organization of tightly knit 'democracies' who would work together but not under the UN. There are other options besides.
Second: Japan is a sorely underrated and underactuated country/culture. It might come as some surprise to readers here and abroad that the Pentegon, in a recent assessment of military matters worldwide, considers only two countries on the earth capable of manifesting themselves in a manner that would not only severely hamper america's military might but present exceedingly powerful military counterbalances - The United Kingdom and Japan. The assessment is based on technical know how, available money for development, regional necessity, military doctrine and that intangible 'national will.'
Next, Japanpays only a few million doallrs less to the UN than does the US. Together, Japan and the US pay for 50%of the UNs bills.
Further, though I do not have the latest figures on hand, Japan's economy consistently ranks in the top 5 and, unlike continental Europe's economy, may be stagnant but is not expected to spiral down but to pick back up and gain steam again (that pesky banking problem).
Next on this matter, Japanese culture is widely and openly accepted, at least in America. And yes, there are probably as many Americans worried about the influence of Japanes culture as there are Japanese worried about the influence of American culture (strange thing that). In this matter, the cultural exchange seems to be positive from this end.
Finally on this subject, Japan could potentially have as much affect on American international politics as does the UK. Germany was positionied to be that country but Schroeder has scuppered that possibility. I think it mistaken to underestimate Japanese leadership and the influence they can bring to bear in the US. I do not even think most Japanese politicians realize this.
Third: A rising Chinese power has to be addressed economically and... though it seems antiquated... militarily. (it is only antiquated in progressive, wealthy, stable, countries). The question is, with two competing economies of might (China/ USA) and two mighty armies (China/USA) should Japan throw its lot in with the close neighbor (China) or far neighbor (USA).
Fourth: Korea - - whoooooo, who knows what the heck is going on here?
Fifth: Slow dissolution of the UNs capacity to act .
Sixth: Continued rise of other 'Asian Tigers.'
So, I am wondering, should Japan mark its own course, throw inits lot with the USA, China, or some combination of the three or four or five.
pokeman