Japan as a "power" in East Asia

Strictly interpreting the "peace constitution" forced upon it after WWII in a pacifistic manner made Japan dependent on U.S. protection. By utilizing thid strategy the Yoshida government managed to free ride on U.S. security guarantees, instead concentrating on economic development. The utilization of "soft power" throughout the Cold War led to unprecedented economic success. The end of the Cold War brought about regional and global change. With the Soviet Union the immediate threat to Japans security and U.S. influence in East Asia disappeared. Other regions and challenges for a time come to dominate international politics. Coupled to this Japan entered a recesion that was to hold its grip on Japan for more than a decade. The seeds of change could be seen, but it would take some time and several catalytic events before Japan could challenge the Yoshida doctrine. In the beginning of the new millennium East Asia is in rapid transition and change. The North Korean contingency has escalated into an international crisis of great proportions. The rise of China brings about economic advantages but also worrisome. The competition between the U.S, its allies and China has global dimensions. This change in the regional balance of power creates uncertainty and the need for all actors to hedge for detrimental developments. Because traditional geopolitical competition remains East Asia is a region where the risk of large scale war remains. This is the complex reality Japan faces and it is therefore changing its foreign and defense policies. The pacifistic Yoshida doctrine is being challenged and Japan is on its way to becoming a "normal" power. Whether this means that Japan will fully discard its self imposed restrictions on military power on the Yoshida doctrine will be modified is yet to be seen. But Tokyo´s ambition is to move towards becoming a more "normal" power in the international community.