CONTEMPORARY EURASIA IX ( 1 )
former ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Dr . Akio Kawato Japan is mainly interested in peace and stability in the region . 6
In this research paper we would like to examine political and economic strategy of Japan in Central Asia and to reveal Japan ' s interests in the region by using case study method .
Japan after World War II has established a new strategy in its foreign policy which is based on three principles : 1 . The United Nation-centered policy , 2 . Cooperation with democratic states such as the United States of America , the Great Britain and other allies , 3 . The strengthening relationships with Asian states . 7
It is notable that until the 1990s the definition of “ Asian states ” for Japan has been limited mostly by Pacific Asia ( or Oceanic Asia ) and only after the end of Cold War , and the disintegration of bipolar international system , Japan enlarged the geography of cooperation with Asian states including also Silk Road Asia ( or South-West and Central Asia ). 8
Central Asia , due to its geography and rich underground resources of natural gas , petroleum gold , and uranium ore , attracts Powers and regional states to struggle for strengthening their influence in this region . Unstable political situation in neighboring states such as in Iran , Afghanistan and Pakistan , is caused for non-traditional security threats such as terrorism , irregular migration , the issues of drug proliferation and trafficking , water resources issue and so on .
It is notable , that the prosperity of Japan mostly depends on the stability and peace around the globe . Therefore , instability in Central Asia and in surrounding regions as a part of the chain will have negative influence on Japan ’ s economy as well . Japan is not only interested in the development of the economy of Central Asian states , and establishment of political independence of these states via regional political
6 Lutfullah Mangi , “ The Political and Economic Strategy of Japan towards Central Asia ,”
https :// www . files . ethz . ch / isn / 145121 / The % 20Political % 20and % 20Economic % 20Strategy % 20of % 20Japan % 20towards % 20Central % 20Asia . pdf ( accessed August 11 , 2020 ).
7
Hosoya Yuichi , “ Japan in Search of a New International Identity ,” Nippon Communications Foundation , October 3 , 2011 , https :// www . nippon . com / en / features / c00201 /? pnum = 1 ( accessed August 11 , 2020 ).
8
Motegi Toshimitsu , “ Nihon Gaiko no Kosoryoku [ Japan ’ s Diplomatic Initiative ],” ( Tokyo : Tokuma Shoten , 2003 ), 114 – 117 .
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