In the opening of his book on Japan’s foreign policy Michael Green speaks to the difficulty of ascertaining the states objectives, or even if they have any at all. “Japanese foreign policy? Let me know if you find any!!” (Green, 1) It is stated that this is a skeptical view, but postwar Japan was reluctant to immerse itself in foreign affairs.

Regionally, Japan has emerged as the main power in Asia. This has much to do with the states economic strength, and how it has become a technological giant. Most other Asia states do not have as developed of a system, both economical

“Japan’s position in the world at the end of the 1980’s is in many ways on a par with that of the United States and the Soviet Union. But whereas the two superpowers have huge natural advantages in terms of their large populations, physical size and natural resource endowments, the power of Japan’s foreign policy is based rather on ‘soft’ conditions, such as the country’s economic performance, its social cohesion and purposefulness, its adaptability to challenges from the outside, its alliance with the United States and its integration into the Western world. Nevertheless, in many of its dimensions Japan’s foreign policy is comparable to those of the superpowers because of the global outreach of its influence, based on its superior economic performance, which is gradually being translated into political, and even military, power. Japan has become indispensable for the management of the global economic system and the maintenance of international security. For the United States, in particular, Japan has become the most important single country in supporting its superpower status. For most countries in its own East Asian region, Japan is the principal trading partner, investor and provider of aid and technology. For the Third World, Japan is now the biggest single aid donor.” (Drifte, 103)

A country that has isolated and disengaged itself in many ways is finally changing its’ ways. In order to change the vision that is presented to the world Japan has been pushed to reemerge in all facets of other states. This is what will bring about the bigger and better Japan that is wanted. A state is perceived as having very little depth may be renewed as a major social capitalist.

Currently, Japan is in a state of transition. In discussing the challenges of Japan’s foreign policy toward the 21st century, let us first being with setting forth its aim. What are the goals of their foreign policy or what are the national interests to be pursued through diplomacy? Japan has isolated itself to an extent therefore; the state wishes to become more of a global player. The state is also trying to change the perception that has been adapted by the world. In the core of such interest is to ensure security and prosperity of Japan and the Japanese people.

In the 1960’s under Nabuski Kitchie, the LDP leader, came the rise of what is known today as Japan Inc. Kitchie decided that if Japan were to survive, the states’ economy had to grow. Japan was run like a big business and Kitchie has been compared to a general in his directives. The people began to show distaste for the centralized control of the state.

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