The Transmutation Of Japan’s Central Asia Strategy

After the cold war, the international pattern has changed from Singlepolar towards Multipolar. Japan devoted major efforts on Central Asia by using Official Development Assistance to build economic and political advantages, which supported its “Global Political Power” and “Diversification of Energy Security” strategies. The Central Asia strategy of Japan indicated the traditional political philosophy of pragmatism. For one thing, there is differences between Japan and western countries on state transformation in Central Asia. Unlike the Democratic Reforms derived by the United States, Japan prefer to keep stable and domestic political order. For another, Japan treated China and Russia affairs in a gentler way compare to the European countries and the United States. Japan propelled the marketization of economy in Central Asia, increased engagement in energy sector, However, the results were far from satisfactory. In the 21 st century,the international pattern has changed due to the power transfer from the U.S. to China. Japan made some adjustments on its diplomatic strategy. It kept consistent with the U.S. strategy of rebalance to the Asia-Pacific, and established alliance with India and the U.S. in order to contain China. In this situation, Japan weaken its political resource, decreased interests of demands, and adjusted objective to support the new Asia Pacific Strategy. This strategy shows its advancements in tactical level, while it also has limitations strategically. China could summarize and draw on those experience to learn how to strengthen neighborhood diplomacy and adjust major-country relationships in a better way.