Return of Japan? Transformation of the balance of power in the Asian theatre

Pawel Pasierbiak,Bruce Kibler

doi:10.14254/2071-8330.2021/14-3/12

Abstract

Return of Japan? Transformation of the balance of power in the Asian theatre

Highlights

Contemporary Asia commands a growing share in world production, international trade, and capital flows as are clearly shown later in this paper using specific tables
The topic of the speech was, “The End of the American International Order: What Comes Next?” The overall tenor of the speech was the decline of US preeminence in the world and the rise of powers that will be far more prevalent, especially China, in the Asian theater
This study's primary goal is to answer the title question: is it possible for Japan to return to its traditional role as the region's most influential economy? The theoretical framework of the analysis is based on two leading schools of the international political economy, i.e., the American school emphasizing the role of the dominant entity and the British school, which emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and points to the weakening role of states and the increasing role of international enterprises

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Contemporary Asia commands a growing share in world production, international trade, and capital flows as are clearly shown later in this paper using specific tables. Production, trade, and capital flows became competition areas in a struggle for influence between the traditional leader (Japan) and the emerging center (China) and China has become predominant. This study's primary goal is to answer the title question: is it possible for Japan to return to its traditional role as the region's most influential economy? The third section, elucidates the evolution of the economic and political aspects of Japan’s role in East Asia. It was decided to exclude any analysis concerning the effects of Covid. This is a crucial factor in shaping the economic reality, the pandemic is not over yet and any firm conclusions are not possible at this juncture of time

THEORETICAL DEBATE

The economic strength of Japan

The political position of Japan

FINDINGS

DISCUSSION