Paths of power

摘要

Despite their world-beating multinational companies and their export-led post-war economic miracle, the word "insular" might have been invented with the Japanese in mind. By virtually any measure-trade, tourism, foreign students, immigration, cultural interchange-Japan is the least globalised of all the rich, industrialised democracies. Ever since it opened up to the world in the 1850s, it has in reality engaged with outsiders only when opportunity or necessity required. Now it is becoming more assertive, especially in its North-East Asian region, and shows signs of wanting to try to shape the future politics of Asia. But this is not out of ideology or ambition. It is because of perceived necessity, in the face of a rising China and of dangers posed to Japan from the Korean peninsula.