THE FUTURE OF JAPANESE DIPLOMACY: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

It was not long ago that the US looked upon Japan as a viable challenger to its primacy.Alarmist interpretations of Japan’s ascendancy proved inaccurate, especially after theJapanese economic juggernaut suffered setbacks in the 1990s. The “lost decade” was a periodof self-reflection and reform. Concomitantly, Japanese diplomacy was realigned to meet thedemands and challenges of the new millennium. This article examines some of the majorchallenges facing Japan in its efforts to maintain and enhance its international profile. Itoutlines Japan’s preference for pluralistic leadership, while arguing that Tokyo’smanagement of its bilateral ties with an ascendant China would play a decisive role indetermining Japan’s position in Asia. Additionally, it analyses (a) Japan’s strategic responseto North Korea’s saber-rattling, (b) responses to Korean reunification and (c) the issue ofJapanese activism. It concludes with a review of issues bearing upon Japan’s future.