Japan Quietly Seeks Global Leadership Niches

Photo from Time Inc.

From The Christian Science Monitor:

The island nation seeks to carve out a bigger role in world affairs as a 'soft power.'

Tokyo - In the 1980s, the buzz here was about "Japan bashing" – the biting criticism of a country that was eviscerating America's postwar industrial dominance. This is still the world's second-biggest economy. But more recently, Japanese have spoken in bemused terms about "Japan passing" – shorthand for a country feeling overshadowed by a rising China and India.

Japan's meteoric economic rise never led to a parallel surge in diplomatic clout. But today, as a pacesetter in everything from green cars to pop culture, it seeks to carve out a bigger role in world affairs as a "soft power."

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My Comment: Japan's neighbors have a different view from what the Christian Science Monitor is promoting. They are deeply suspicious, and what may be perceived as economic aid and assistance .... they see as Japanese control and influence.

For Japan to really change their perception .... in particular with their neighbors .... they will have to implement their words into action, and keep this policy active for the next few generations.