Current Japan’s Defense Policy in Northeast Asia: Problems and Perspectives

From the beginning of the second term of Shinzo Abe as a prime-minister in December 2012, Japan started to pursue more active policy in the sphere of national and regional security, characterized by the Japanese government as "pro-active" pacifism. Basis of this policy is the transformations related to the removal of the post-war restrictions which are holding down military activity of Japan. But regional neighbors of Japan, first of all China, perceive these reforms negatively and define it as revival of the Japanese militarism. Today the situation in Northeast Asia is characterized by growth of tension in potentially explosive zones: on the Korean peninsula, at the islands of Senkaku (Diaoyu), followed by the race of arms in the East China Sea. Also, influence of the USA and the lack of confidence between regional players should be taken into consideration. Nevertheless, military-political activity of Japan can push regional players to the development of mutually acceptable rules of conduct in the sphere of military safety to minimize the risks of further escalation of tension. Bilateral agreements in the sphere of military-political cooperation can become a basis for this purpose.