A century and a half ago, with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan commenced its ascent as a global power. The race towards industrialization was gripping the West, and not wanting to be left out Japan adopted the slogan ‘Fukoku Kyohei’ meaning ‘Enrich the Country, Strengthen the Armed Forces,’ and joined the rapacious pursuit of grabbing power through the establishment of a colonial empire. The empire grew rapidly, military success followed, and so did defeat, resulting in occupation, dissolution of the empire and the promulgation of a new constitution in 1947.
Seven decades later
Japan is not merely a rising star of the East, but has achieved that which was
envisioned in 1868 - a state which is industrially advanced, economically sound
and politically crucial. Whilst the nuclear attacks caused untold devastation,
what was more destructive was the loss of prestige and position the country had
hitherto enjoyed. Yet those who attacked, also sought to re-build, and ensured
the newly emerging state would be able to regain that which it lost and more
importantly, a former enemy became a close ally. The formula that worked in
Japan is one that America has attempted to replicate elsewhere. From intervention
in numerous states in Asia and the Arab world, the United States has sought to
attack and rebuild, change regimes and introduce new players, critically crush and
then financially support, but that which worked in Japan, does not appear keen
on reaching fruition in other conflicts.
Through its control of
the Asian Development Bank, Japan has been able to win over former enemies
through financial assistance. A country once detested in most of Asia for its
colonial past, is today admired, respected and relied upon across the world.
Thus the trade deal with the European Union is being touted as a ‘slap in the
face’ of Donald Trump whose preferences for protectionism over free trade has
seen America turning its back on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and opting
instead to protect all things American.
Yet the deal, hailed as
a landmark, could be viewed from three angles for its advantageous nature and opportunity
- for the Japanese, the Europeans and Asians.
Facing stiff competition
in the region and globally, Japan and China have found it difficult to put the
past behind them. While the Mukden Incident in 1931 led to the Japanese invasion
of Manchuria, the defeat of the Chinese and the creation of the puppet state of
Manchukuo eroded normalcy and led to continued strife. The animosity continues
to date. With China going global with its One Belt One Road initiative as it
uses its historic trading paths and partners, Japan doesn’t want to be left out.
Visiting Washington in
February 2017, Shinzo Abe explored the possibility of a trade deal with Trump. As
the new American President had opted to turn his back on the TPP, Japan was hopeful
of using the hard bargaining that had been done in the past over the TPP but
Trump wasn’t interested in what had been done and instead chose to nitpick over
trade barriers that existed. A deal with America is still far off.
While the Americans dragged
their feet with the Japanese, the Europeans didn’t. Embittered by the Brexit
issue, the EU now in its sixtieth year, is looking for success stories and
where better to find one that with a star of the East. Whilst the last year has
been disastrous for moving integration further down the road, as the EU reeled from
the British vote, the Europeans waited for the invocation of Article 50. In
true British fashion, Theresa May delayed invoking it, and soon thereafter called
for a snap general election in one of her worst gambles, which she must
certainly regret today.
The European model has evolved
over time. From the Coal and Steel Pact to what it is today, the EU is
unsurpassed in regional integration. The opportunity of collaborating with countries
like China and Japan enhance the potential of the grouping and the countries
within it. The OBOR and China have already been embraced in much of the EU. Xi
Jinping is welcome across the region and countries have been at pains to
improve cooperation mechanisms with China, having realized the scope such
relationships portend for their own future.
With the breakdown of
the TPP, the EU saw opportunity in speeding up trade talks with Japan, which
had commenced in 2013. EU exports to Japan are expected to increase by 34%,
while Japan’s exports are forecast to rise 29%. Coming soon after the
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada in May, the EU has added
another feather to its cap, in expanding free trade. Aspiring towards a similar
arrangement with the world’s fastest growing economy, the Europeans are focused on India, where a market of 1.2 billion is as lucrative as they could ever
hope for.
Irrespective of whether
the trading arrangement is with China, Japan or India, the region that would
benefit is Asia. In the spirit of realizing the Asian Century the contributions
being made by China, Japan and India are massive. The numerous countries of
Asia, irrespective of inherent differences, bear an ‘Asian’ identity, are
geographically joined and politically maintain strong linkages with some or all
of these three. The spillover effects of such trading arrangements such as the
Japan - EU Economic Partnership Agreement provide hitherto untapped prospects,
especially for smaller states in Asia, and those which are closest to the big
three.
Apparent as it is, that
each of these states possess immense potential through their cooperation with
the world, potential and possibility would be insurmountable if they choose to
work together, and use that synergy in their global interactions. History
remains relevant, yet past misgivings only cloud a bright future.
-
- - Awarelogue Editorial
