The Dilemma That Japan Faces In The Participation Of East Asia Regional Cooperation And The Way Out

With the development of regionalism in global scope, the progress of east Asia regional cooperation has caused more and more attention. Although the current east Asia regional cooperation is still in exploration and has not yet reach the status of institutionalization or standardization, regional cooperation and integration is the general trend of the times. With the joint effort of east Asian countries,all-round cooperation in east Asia that includes both economic cooperation and political cooperation must come true in the future.As a result,for the countries in east Asia,it is the rational choice to participate in and promote regional cooperation in east Asia actively.The countries that do not take the initiative to adjust national strategy and join in the process of regional cooperation must be excluded by regional cooperation and integration trend.In this background, Japan made positive adjustment about its east Asia regional cooperation policy on entering into the21st century.The main mark of the adjustment is the put forward of East Asian community idea,while the main target of the adjustment is the dominant power in east Asia cooperation. Japan showed an unprecedented positive attitude towards east Asia cooperation through the adjustment.Although Japan has positive attitude and clear target,its action is still limited by a series of domestic and international factors such as political factors,economic factors and cultural factors, together with the influence of Japan-American alliance and Japan-China relations,which are all due to the particularity of Japan. With the influence of these domestic and international factors,Japan encountered a series of dilemma during the process of participating in the east Asia regional cooperation and the pursuit of the leadership position.The dilemma caused difficulties towards Japan undoubtedly.But if we explore the essence and the source of the dilemma,we will find out that it is just the fact that Japan cannot deal with the relationship between the United States and the relationship between the east Asian countries ideally at the same time during the process of east Asia cooperation.In fact,similar problem has plagued Japan for hundreds of years. Through detailed analysis about the content and reasons of the dilemma,and based on the combination of history and reality,this paper will analyze whether Japan can break the dilemma and forecast which way can lead Japan to get out from the dilemma. Mainly there are three ways that can be considered.The first way that follow the America and the second way that back to Asia both have big risks towards Japan.These two ways cannot guarantee its realistic interests and long-term targets.As a result,Japan will choose a middle way which can ensure the strategic balance between America and east Asia.This middle way can maintain the status quo of the Japan-east Asia relationship and Japan-America relationship,while ensure the existing interests at the same time,and let Japan occupy a rounded advantage position in the short term. But there are also some disadvantages in the long run. Improvement is still needed.