Background Information of International Relations in Asia

Liberal Perspective

The increasing conflict between Article 9 of the Japanese constitution and the use of military defense forces is due to changing structures in the region. The cold war divided the world into two poles with the Soviet Union and the US as primary actors of a respective pole. The US supported Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan in to prevent the spread of communism. US military bases were located in each of these countries. The Soviet Union had an alliance with China and North Korea.

After the cold war, the political structure of the world changed, leaving the US as the lone superpower. The Japan and the US opened trade with authoritarian states like China, hoping that trade and investment would move China towards a liberal democracy. This, however, did not work. Instead China has become an even more important actor in the region, growing economically and militarily.

This change in political structure has forced Japan to rethink its defense capabilities as it seeks a more active security role in the world. In addition, Japan seeks to transform the authoritarian states of China and North Korea to liberal democracies. This can be done by involving these countries in international organizations and trade agreements. By involving China and North Korea in multilateral institutions, Japan can rely on the authority of these institutions to mediate any problems. These would reduce Japan's need for defense forces and it's reliance on the US for security, enabling Japan to concentrate further on its economy.

Conservative Perspective

The increasing conflict between Article 9 of the Japanese constitution and the use of military defense forces is due to a struggle for power in Asia. Northeast Asia is a booming economic region with strong economies in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and China. China dominates its neighbors, however, by military capabilities. US presence in the region counters China's military power.

As China continues to develop its military capabilities (e.g. developing longer range offensive missiles) Japan is forced to examine its ability to deter a threat by China as China attempts to acquire more power in the region. By further aiding US forces in the region and developing defense systems of its own (e.g. proposed anti-missile system), Japan is looking out for its own interests in the region. If necessary, Japan can look to other countries for support because Japan has no permanent allies in Asia, only permanent interests.

Revolutionary Perspective

The increasing conflict between Article 9 of the Japanese constitution and the use of military defense forces is due to a struggle between class units. The capitalist states of Northeast Asia are competing with the communist states. The elite capitalists of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and the US wish to maintain power in the region over the working classes of China and North Korea.

In order to counter the spread of the working class revolution, Japan must use its military forces to their fullest extent under Article 9 and develop its defense systems to maintain its capitalist dominance in the world. It must also seek to expand its economic system worldwide, particularly to closed market economies. By opening the markets of China and North Korea, Japan can spread its capitalist system, further strengthening its on economy. Once these former communist countries have accepted the capitalist system, security problems will be reduced because of the threat of economic repercussions from Japan.

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