US agent status is a soft spot for Japan

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Media reported that Japan would provide an economic package of 300 billion yen ($2.5 billion) but there was no breakthrough on the disputed islands.

Japan has two important objectives in pushing forward its Russian ties: One is to prepare to retake the islands, and the second is to strive for a status of a political powerhouse through its progressive diplomacy.

With Trump poised to be the next US president, the Asia-Pacific region is facing an uncertain political and security situation.

Currently, regional countries are making preparations for potential power shifts. Although the US-Japan alliance will remain largely intact, certain adjustments are expected.

From September to December, 15 foreign leaders have visited Japan, including Putin, Rodrigo Duterte and Aung San Suu Kyi. Many visiting leaders came from countries adjacent to China. Despite its regional influence, Japan has a “soft spot” that cannot be fixed in the short term. Japan is eager to increase its diplomatic weight but its status as a US ally makes it difficult for it to gain some countries’ trust.

Abe and Putin have allegedly met 17 times and Russia is fully aware of Japan’s calculation behind the cooperation. The more Japan wishes to get to its goal of retaking the islands, the easier it is for Russia to gain from the interaction.

No matter how much Japan wishes to draw Russia closer, there will always be a barrier to enhancing mutual trust. Japan’s role as US’ agent in Asia after the World War II makes it difficult for Russia to fully trust the country.

With Trump in office, Asia-Pacific nations have some questions in mind: How would Japan handle its relations with the US? Will it be more willing to act according to the US will or will it stand its own diplomatic ground?

No matter what Japan chooses, containing China will always be part of Abe’s diplomacy.

Japan’s efforts to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region by strengthening ties with the US and pushing forward cooperation with countries like Russia, India, the Philippines and Vietnam may cost China some efforts in development in neighboring regions and deteriorate the public opinion toward China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.

Under such circumstances, China should maintain its strategic composure. It should plan proactively, respond calmly and act resolutely. China has, in the past few decades, possessed the capability to mold the regional security structure. Over the past half century, Japan has used little tricks instead of big strategies. Japan is not capable of replacing the US. Where the US fails, it’s even more unlikely for its agent to succeed.