JAPAN AND HER ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA : IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA

Abstract

The basis of this discussion is essentially that there is a gap between what Japan's present role is and what it can be. There is no denying that Japan's enormous power potential will mean playing a starring role in the international theatre in this era of a new world order. How is Japan going to act it out is the question foremost on the minds of many. Any attempt to resolve this marked discrepancy will affect Southeast Asia, an important region geographically near to Japan. There relationship is governed by strong economic links, while political and security ties are much weaker. The extent to which there can be an attempt to correct this imbalance will depend on the perceptions of the regional states, which in tum will largely be determined by an assessment of the implications of a well-rounded Japanese role on the region. It is the contention of this study that it is inevitable that Japan will play a prominent role in the region. However, it would most probably be within a version of the Pax Americana scenario, at least for the initial period. Moreover, this must be a gradual process that should take place with the consent of the regional states.