ively has been serving as a platform for American security arrangements in Asia.Furthermore, there has been the problem of mistrust between Japan and other Asian countries since WWII, which inevitably brought Japan to be passive and indirect in involvement of her regional security matters. Japans past record of brutal aggression for her grand plan of the Greater East Asian Co-prosperity during the war has harbored deep suspicions about Japan among Asian countries. The bitter memories of the Japanese annexation of Korea and its military invasion of China and other countries still affect her diplomatic relations with these countries. Any form of rebuilding military presence in Japan will still be threat to many of her neighbors and thus, Japan can easily provoke a tense arms race in the region.For example, during the 1970s, Japan saw an opportunity playing a larger role in regional politics after the American withdrawal from Indo-China. However, this soon caused anti-Japanese riots during then-Prime Minister Tanakas visit to Southeast Asia in 1974. The growing economic strength and US withdrawal from the region reminded the vivid memories of Japans aggression during WWII and became threatening to Asian countries. Japan thus announced the Fukuda doctrine, once again renouncing any intention to become a military power. In order to reassure this doctrine, it became important for Japan to maintain alliance with the US and play a passive role behind the US. China sees merit in the US-Japan alliance in terms of preventing Japan from becoming a big military power, claims Satoh (Satoh, 36). Japans formation of alliance with the US gives credibility that she will not become a big military power to her neighbors. Japan during the Cold War did not need to and also could not afford to take a serious role in Asian security.However, Japans passive regional security involvement came under question with the end of the Cold War. The collapse of...
