The role of China, Japan, and Korea in East Asia

The role of China, Japan, and Korea in East Asia

AKP Mochtan, Tokyo

The past, present and future are getting tangled up in a
bizarre way in East Asia. Crude anti-Japanese sentiment in China
and South Korea is jolting Japan like never before. Japanese
diplomats, businessmen, journalists and other observers were
caught off guard. The turn of events was so sudden and for many
simply incomprehensible.

Traditionally, Beijing and Seoul have always been ultra-
sensitive to events in Tokyo. However, harsh words from Seoul's
Blue House were atypical. Even more perplexing were the scale,
ferocity and length of anti-Japanese demonstrations in China.

The horrors from Japan's past invasions, particularly the
extreme brutality of the Japanese Imperial soldiers, appears to
remain vivid in the minds of Chinese and Koreans. Seen from
Beijing and Seoul, Tokyo lacks the resolve to atone from the
gross atrocities it committed earlier; it is yet to fully and
sincerely demonstrate its remorse. In the absence of
conscientious efforts to redeem its past wrongs, Japan is seen to
continue harboring expansionistic ambitions. As such, resentment
and distrust loom large in both China and Korea.

Tokyo is well aware of the symbolism and deep sensitivity
attached to these issues. Unfortunately, indifference and a
domestic political agenda prevailed and conspired to block Tokyo
from embarking on constructive diplomacy regarding these sticking
points. Japan has thus failed to address the long-held concerns
of its neighbors. As a result, the war history remains a
contentious subject in the region, leading to a hardening of
nationalistic feelings and self-righteous interpretations of
events.

However, the rift in East Asia is not all about history.
Present relations are also strained. The protests are as much
about Japan's conflicting territorial claims with China and
Korea, which have escalated into serious tensions. On the western
seaside, the local Shimane Prefecture has forced an ordinance
that practically imposes Japan's sovereignty on a chain of
islands under dispute with Korea. In the East China Sea, the
Economic Ministry in Tokyo recently issued an instruction to
authorize drilling tests to explore the potential of undersea oil
and gas reserves under dispute with China.

These heightened territorial disputes add fuel to already
volatile emotions. The Koreans have reacted furiously to the
Shimane Prefecture's overtures. Likewise, the ministry's decision
has not improved already sour Sino-Japanese relations.

Japan's future aspirations, particularly its long-cherished
dream to be a permanent member of an expanded United Nations
Security Council (UNSC) is also an issue. The prospect of Japan's
ascendancy to the UNSC is closer than ever before. This new
status would significantly boost Tokyo's leverage in
international politics, including in its rivalry vis-a-vis
Beijing.

The Sino-Japanese rivalry does not necessarily present a grave
and immediate danger for Asia. Some analysts have warned of a
probable collision path due to steadily increasing military
expenditure and an ever-growing sophistication of military
hardware on each side. Overall, however, the China-Japan rivalry
is primarily strategic, with increasing economic overtones and
devoid of direct or imminent military threats.

The complicating factor for Beijing is Japan's defense and
security alliance with the U.S., with Tokyo often seen as simply
touting Washington's interests. Recently, several of Japan's
U.S.-centric security policies have irked Beijing, particularly
regarding Taiwan. Given this background, Tokyo's larger
political-security role will also mean a bigger headache for
Beijing.

Compounded, the problems brewing in East Asia are multifaceted
and rooted in time and emotions. There may not be instant
solutions to this complex situation but bitterly clinging to the
past is certainly not going to help.

Beijing and Seoul's objections -- although they have never
officially voiced them -- to Japan's bid for a place on the UNSC
are grounded solely on their dissatisfaction with how Japan has
handled its past mistakes.

Such claims are patently absurd and push emotional and
bilateral issues out of proportion. Exaggerating and manipulating
these issues into some kind of a pretext for a global threat
would only make Beijing's and Seoul's claims sound hollow.

On its part, there is no mistake that Japan must demonstrate
its resolve to address the sticky problem of history once and for
all. Tokyo must make renewed efforts to earnestly settle the
thorny issues of the past that are still bothering both Beijing
and Seoul. The Japanese leaders cannot just brush aside the
Chinese and Korean emotions by simply telling them to look to the
future. Reconciling history and straightening past records must
be top priority without delay. Unless and until all parties
concerned arrive at an amicable solution to this long-overdue
problem, there will never be a genuine and lasting friendship on
which these East Asian nations can build a solid and sustainable
foundation for the future.

The task of managing conflict in East Asia is not the
responsibility for Tokyo alone. Beijing and Seoul too must do
their part. Beijing, in particular, must stop resorting to raw
force and crude intimidation tactics. In the context of China's
politics, it is simply incomprehensible that the huge
demonstrations and petitions against Japan happened
"spontaneously," without the backing of the central government.

Japan may serve as a convenient scapegoat to cover up China's
own domestic problems. But Beijing needs to realize that such
reckless acts will only hurt itself, damaging its own image and
reputation in the eyes of the world.

East Asia needs to urgently establish a more direct, much
faster mechanism for conflict resolution at the highest level.
Meetings between top leaders should be a part of proactive,
preventive diplomacy strategy rather than a reactive, post-
conflict initiative. The present incidents will hopefully present
a stronger case to accentuate the urgency for such proactive and
preventive diplomacy in East Asia.

China, Japan and South Korea must examine their differences
and act responsibly. At stake is much more than simply narrow
national pride. Any conflict among Asia's giants would quickly
spill over into a wider arena and have serious consequences for
international security.

AKP Mochtan is a research and planning officer at the Tokyo-
based Asian Productivity Organization.