Oriental Games

Oriental Games

Andrea Marcigliano

From: https://electomagazine.it/giochi-orientali/?sfnsn=scwspmo

China and Japan seem to be at loggerheads. Tensions between Beijing and Tokyo have not been this high since the Second World War.

In fact, relations between the two historic Far Eastern empires had become quite good in the years following the Second World War. This was partly because Japan, effectively under US protection, seemed to have completely renounced any political or military role. It had become solely an economic and industrial power.

In short, a giant, but a giant with feet of clay.

Now, however, things are changing rapidly. And changing radically.

Washington, increasingly concerned about Beijing's growth, has effectively lifted restrictions on Tokyo's rearmament. This is so that it can use Japan's power to contain China.

This has, of course, caused problems. Because the kind Ms Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to lead the Japanese government, immediately began to bare her teeth. Sharp as the fangs of a sabre-toothed tiger.

On the other hand, Sanae Takaichi is a member of the most conservative wing of the Liberal Democratic Party. A wing that has always harboured strongly nationalist sentiments and the dream of restoring Japan to its role as a true power.

After all, eighty years have passed since the war that brought Tokyo to its knees. And eighty years for us Westerners are an eternity, for Easterners a breath of wind.

And, despite being colonised by the Americans, the Japanese remain deeply Eastern.

However, Ms Sanae has made it clear that her Japan does not intend to follow the West's drift towards Moscow. On the contrary, it intends to improve trade relations with Russia, because they are essential for the development of the national economy.

This decision has perplexed many members of the domestic opposition. However, it was also based, perhaps above all, on the certainty that Trump's Washington would not make a tragedy out of it.

Of course, it was annoying, but knowing that the White House has other priorities today. And that, for this reason, it vitally needs Tokyo's support.

And that priority, needless to say, is Beijing.

Containing China is the main imperative for Washington today. And it subordinates, sometimes sacrifices, all other objectives to this.

This may well explain the behaviour of the Japanese government. On the one hand, it claims complete autonomy from Russia, with which it intends to intensify trade.

But, on the other hand, it is showing its military muscle to Beijing. It is even advancing a sort of protectorate over Taiwan.

It is a necessary choice. Ms Sanae Takaichi is clearly well aware that Japan's growing autonomy comes at a price in Washington.

And that price is shown by taking a hard line with Beijing.

Proving itself to be Washington's most reliable ally in the struggle for control of the Pan-Pacific area.