Japan in a Dynamic Asia by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1351149
Publisher: Lexington Books
Published: 2013-06-25T00:00:00+00:00

Conclusion

Can Japan and South Korea overcome their unfortunate past and become true friends? Although the history issue still runs deep, there is more hope for improving ties as the two countries’ leaders are making genuine efforts to move beyond the past. With progress in democracy as well as economic development, South Korea has gained self-confidence and has become less obsessive about its past, and is taking a more pragmatic approach to the history issue, which is appreciated by Japan. President Roh’s decision to forgo the history issue during his visit to Tokyo in June 2003 should be credited as another important step to build a stronger relationship with Japan. It will be helpful if Japan responds with a more sensitive approach to South Korean sentiment. In particular, Japan should make a conscious effort not to ally South Korea and China against itself due to unscrupulous remarks occasionally made by its officials regarding the history issue. Both Japan and South Korea have a clear common interest in working together for economic prosperity. The FTA may prove to be a promising convergence for the two neighbors to enhance their relationship and to solidify bilateral initiatives between Japan and South Korea without involving the United States, which is often a dominating figure in their foreign relations.

Indeed, North Korea creates an interesting dynamic for bilateral relations between Japan and South Korea as well as their relations with the United States. Despite their publicly claimed common approach to North Korea, Washington’s “punish bad behavior” approach created tension with Seoul’s emphasis on negotiated settlement. Tokyo seems to be caught in the middle, reflecting its strategic concern of North Korean retaliation on one hand, and public anger over the abduction issue coupled with the importance of the alliance with the United States on the other. If the United States insists on tougher North Korea policy against South Korea’s wish for negotiation, Japan may have to make a difficult choice between its commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance and the prospect of gaining political trust from South Korea by addressing its concerns.

Strong ties between Tokyo and Seoul are more vital to U.S. interests than ever as Washington’s new push for military restructuring in the region requires a more integrated force structure and management among the U.S. military forces and their counterparts in the two countries. Yet, military-to-military relations between Japan and South Korea will remain the weakest link of the trilateral alliance in the anticipated future. South Korea still has strong misgivings about Japan’s effort to normalize its defense posture and is not ready to accept Japan’s more active role in military and international affairs. Indeed, South Korea’s growing ties with China—backed by rapidly expanding trade—may complicate the U.S. alliance strategy in Northeast Asia. If the restructuring effort focuses on containing China’s power by enhancing Japan’s military capability, it might drive South Korea to take a more neutral stance, distancing itself from the alliance with the United States and Japan. In sum, despite the two countries’ efforts to improve

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