Japan's Security Policy in the Koizumi Era

Under Koizumi's leadership Japanese security policy has become closely integrated with the US. One reason is that the US is regarded as necessary protection against regional developments which would threaten Japanese security. Japan's concern has been the threat of North Korea's ballistic missiles and China's rising military power. Moreover, Koizumi has represented a group of younger leaders in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who have aspired to a global partnership with the US which would elevate Japan's status in international affairs. To this end Koizumi has supported the Bush Administration over Iraq and in May 2006 signed the realignment agreement which provided for closer security cooperation with the US. There are, however, domestic pacifist and external constraints which will limit Japan's ability to cooperate with the US, particularly beyond Northeast Asia. Koizumi has already been criticized from within his own party for allowing relations with China and Korea to deteriorate because of his annual visits to the Yasukuni shrine. His successors would be likely to improve these relations and to restore greater balance to Japan's security policy. Moreover, pacifist sentiment within the political parties would hinder the transformation of the US alliance into a global partnership.