The primary objective of the book Japan’s Reluctant Realism by Michael Green is to discuss the durability of the foreign
policy of Japan which is characterized as indifferent to historical common sense. The country succumbs to loose changes wherein it has a bilateral relationship with the United States since the end of the Cold War. The country’s leaders also believed that having a good relationship with the United States is an indispensable move in order to strengthen the position of Japan in the
international arena. Michael Green provided a reliable context on the case studies that are tackled in the book as in the first chapter, an unfolding debate about the identity of Japan is being included. This discussion was followed by a careful consideration of the domestic institutions of the country that played a role in the eventual transformation of the country into an independent position in the world.
In order to understand the way Japan succumb to loose changes within the international scene, the book includes case studies that visualizes the foreign policy choices pressures on policy-making. After considering all the arguments of the author, I can say that the book is convincing so much that the case studies presented factual scenario in the world politics. The findings of the case studies are very reliable and impressive as it did give support on the claim that the
foreign policy of Japan becomes impressive although it is not common by historical standards. These findings of the author are very impressive since he was able to point out how the Japanese people remains true to its national interests in a discreet manner. On the other hand, Michael Green failed to analyze how the bilateral relations of the United States and Japan affect the indifference of the foreign policy of Japan despite its close relation in Washington. This means that there should be a discussion on how the American people feel that Japan is so discreet in its activities while being close to the country for economic and political reasons. But this flaw was corrected when the foreign direct investment and aids was given by Japan to international organizations.
The author expressed this condition of the regional community since it could be remembered that Japan had “gone regional” for so many years. In support of the arguments of the author, the fact that Japan is a great contributor to ease the said crisis was explained in the paper. Hence, the book is a good source of inspiration in terms of studying world politics. Green also explained the topic on the constraints of Japan on the use of force. The said area remained strong and yet flexible. In essence, the author explained that the main objective of the political elite in Tokyo is to avert from risks that might spoil the balance of power. In that sense, if there be any deployment of military forces, the purpose is to clear Japanese territories of any threat and UN-related activities and not necessarily to augment any conflict. Basically, Green explained the simplicity of the foreign policy in Japan and its intelligent approaches in conflict-related issues in the world.
There is also one notable argument of the author on the foreign policy of Japan. Normally, there is always a tendency that a particular foreign policy of a country is being noticed or checked whether it conforms to the world order. However, in the case of Japan the author basically pointed out that no political leader that attempted to articulate clear alternatives of foreign policy for Japan. No one ever questioned the low risk low cost strategy of Japan in dealing with international issues. In other words, there is no alternative strategic vision for Japan as countries did not care to do so.
Aside from that, Green made clear that Japan must assert its clear position in the world politics due to the rise of China as a powerful country. The growing consensus among nations calling for Japan to take its reign in foreign policy towards international concerns and not merely domestic is very obvious at present. Finally, the author pointed out a realization that makes Japan a unique country in terms of foreign policy choices since the truth is, with the growing realism about power relations in the region and the threat of diminishing indigenous economic resources, Japan has less room for sentimentality, idealism or guilt in its foreign policy in Asia. Knowing all these things, we may conclude that in an era wherein uncertainty of Japanese power resides in the international community after the Cold War time, Japan has changed a lot from its foreign policy choices into its competitiveness in the economic and political decisions. The book of Michael Green on Japan’s Reluctant Realism is evidence that Japan could emerge as a threat against China when worst comes to worst that the latter country would slowly dominate the world. This is practical since it was pointed out by the author that there is confidence that Japanese economic leadership would integrate China on Japan’s terms has ebbed and a new realism has emerged regarding the limits of Japanese economic influence and the increasing power aspirations of China.