In his meeting with a Japanese Diet member last week, Presi-dent Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) urged Tokyo to issue a visa to former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) after Japan's foreign ministry appeared to rule out the possibility of Lee visiting the country this month. Chinese pressure remains the major stumbling block in Lee's attempts to visit Japan, but this episode reveals a broader problem in Japan's cross-strait policy and the country's role in the Asia-Pacific region.
There are at least two reasons the Japanese leadership needs to re-examine its role in the new century: the transformation of Sino-US relations and the power succession in China. As the US conducts its war against terror, Japan's contribution will determine how its leadership role in the region develops.
Japan's policy toward China has traditionally echoed that of the US. President George W. Bush has reiterated that China should "be unthreatened but not unchecked." However, the Bush administration has gradually adjusted its relatively hardline approach toward Beijing after the Sept. 11 attacks and called for both sides to build a candid, constructive and cooperative relationship. As China acquires more and more political and economic power, Japan's position as the No. 1 ally of Washington will be challenged. With relations between Washington and Beijing so delicate, Japan's Asia policy deserves special attention.
For decades, Japan's attitude toward Asia has been ambiguous. It has refrained from taking the leadership role in the region even though many countries sought its guidance during the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Japan's hesitation in leading the region often causes uncertainty and instability.
The fact that more than 70 percent of Japan's imports go through the Taiwan Strait illustrates how important peaceful and stable cross-strait relations are to Japan. Without peace in the Taiwan Strait, Japan cannot enjoy security and economic prosperity. Japanese leaders should look ahead, identify the collective interests of Asia and develop new concepts in relations. This will require courage and wisdom.
More importantly, Japan must also cooperate with neighbors that seek peace in the Asia-Pacific region. In this regard, there should be closer cooperation among nations, especially between Japan and Taiwan.
To bolster collective security in the region, the Japanese government has wisely readjusted its security relationship with the US to include Taiwan in the "situational" area of security concerns.
After World War II, the US debated for several years before accepting a major international role in reconstructing Europe, not only bringing benefits to itself, but also helping to maintain stability in many regions of the world.
Now even the Bush administration has improved its treatment of Taiwan's leaders by allowing Chen and other high-ranking officials to visit the US. So why can't Japan do this?
In order to secure peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Japan should reconsider its role in Asia and determine the best approaches for linking Japanese interests to those of the rest of Asia. Taiwan should definitely be included in Japan's pursuit of its national interests.
In recent years, new concepts suggest cooperation based on interdependence is the best method of enhancing regional peace. From this perspective, Japan can and will play a more active and constructive role in Asia by not only contributing to the balance of power but also by furthering interdependence and promoting greater prosperity.
Japan can be a leader in the quest for peace, human rights and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. The question is whether its leader has the determination to do so.
Liu Kuan-teh is a Taipei-based political commentator.
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