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In conclusion
Chalmers Johnson argues three characteristics of modern Japan prevent it from
asserting itself as a leader in the regionalization of East Asia: Japan’s subservience as the
United State’s leading “satellite”, the state of its economy, and its inability to compete
with the emergence of China as the world’s “leading capitalist country.”
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Johnson
argues that the US presence in Japan, most importantly the latter’s deference to the US,
has seriously impacted its ability to lead the regionalization of Asia.
The current trend toward regionalization does not represent a trend towards a
historical norm, and neither does it represent a trend toward minimizing the role of the
US in the region. In addition, it is clear from Katzenstein’s analysis, and the perspectives
offered by Consuls Wang and the description of Japanese foreign policy strategies, that
the US is not viewed as an alien power in the region that has drawn Asia away from its
historical roots. Johnson’s analysis of the trend toward regionalization of East Asia does
not take this into account.
From an examination of the security issues that confront the APR we have been
able to see that the primary actors behind the current trend of regionalization are able to
cooperate despite competition among one and other and despite the presence of the US.
We have seen that the historical security environment in Asia is not characterized by a
traditional “balance of power” definition. Moreover, in contrast to Johnson’s view, we
have seen how the US is not an impediment to either the regionalization of the APR or
Japan’s role in such regionalization. We have seen how this trend is not a return to a
historic setting, upset by the Cold War and US involvement. We have also seen that
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Consul Wang.
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Chalmers Johnson Interviewed via email by author, 11 November 2003.
Convention