Japan's econ-my，although still weighty and powerful，has passed its pinnacle and it seems that Japan will hardly be able
to keeP forever its economic prominence in Asia.Japan' s
political position ingeneral is on the rise with its political role somewhat strengthened．However Japan’repeated denial， both in words and actions，of its history of ggres sion has darkened its image and made it harder for Japan to dispel the misturst from various countries． Consequently，Japan is very much restrained to play a bigger politl－ cal role． Some changes have taken place in Japan’s military position and role．Japan is seeking to expand its military actlvlties to the Asia－Pacific region，and such a tendency has aroused alert in various Asian countries． In future Japan may probably continue to take the path of bullding up the country by expanding its economic strength．However it is now shifting to the path of building up the country by expanding its political power and the posssibility that Japan will try to take the path of building up the country by expanding its military strength cannot be ruled out．The Japanese－US
relations will play an important role in the directlon of the future development of Japan and the Sino－Japanese relations will be affected by the direction Japan heads for in future．If Japan seeks to gain nuclear weapons，it will be a signal that Japan is moving towards a military power．