Due to historical factors, there are two "abnormal" countries in Asia: Taiwan and Japan. Taiwan, as a result of the international community's postwar relationship with China, has not achieved international recognition, and its diplomatic maneuvers have been severely restricted by Beijing. Japan, on the other hand, has restrained itself in its postwar Constitution from participating in international affairs, especially in military affairs. That's why this economic superpower has a disproportionately small presence in international affairs.
These two countries, however, are gradually freeing themselves from the shadow cast by the 20th century. Taiwan, for example, actively seeks international recognition of its national status. Japan is also discussing the possibility of revising its Constitution. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his country's wish to become a permanent member in the UN Security Council, indicating that Tokyo is intent on playing a more active role in the international community.
President Chen Shui-bian (
The biggest challenge the two countries face is the rise of China. The growing pressure from China goes beyond economic competition. Most important is Beijing's military modernization and the expansion of its naval presence as it seeks to acquire superpower status in the Asia-Pacific region. China's missiles are aimed at Taiwan, Japan and Korea, and many other Southeast Asian nations have also fallen under the shadow cast by China's military rise.
There is historical enmity between China and Japan. From the violence seen at the Asian Cup soccer final, Japanese should have no doubts about what China continues to think about them. That Koizumi's advisors are considering whether to designate China a military threat shows that they are looking at long-term developments.
China has consistently sought to keep Taiwan out of any regional or international security and economic cooperative structures. Given Taiwan's geo-strategic position and the strong role it now plays in economic development in East Asia, keeping Taiwan out of such structures will mean that such groups will remain incomplete. This adversely affects the development of regional security and economic prosperity, and directly challenges the basic order in the Asia-Pacific region established by the US and Japan.
Taiwan and Japan are both maritime nations, and there are plenty of opportunities for cooperation on a host of security and economic issues. For the safety of the whole region, Taiwan encourages Japan to play a bigger role in the UN and on the cross-strait issue. This will diversify East Asian leadership and push China into becoming a more responsible member of the international community.
The historical conditions of the 20th century are no longer suited to the context of the 21st. It is no longer reasonable for China to question the legitimacy of Japan becoming a member of the UN Security Council for historical reasons. Sixty years after the end of WWII, the Cold War is over and Japan has transformed itself into the most powerful democratic country in East Asia. It should now be able to cast aside its historical burden and take up its responsibilities as a leader in the region.
For its part, Taiwan should return to being a sovereign nation with normal diplomatic relations with China and the rest of the international community, and work with China to establish peace in the Taiwan Strait. This is the only road to security in East Asia.
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