Rising Japanese Nationalism

Report Outline
Gathering Clouds Over U.S. Relations
Japan's Postwar Coming of Age
Economic Aspects of Japanese Nationalism

Gathering Clouds Over U.S. Relations

Japan's Readiness to Chart Own Foreign Course

After two decades of passivity and withdrawal from great power struggles in Asia, Japan is preparing to resume a more active —and independent —role in international affairs. The numbness of defeat and occupation after World War II gradually has been replaced by self-confidence and a new spirit of nationalism born of the knowledge that Japan, a nation of 100 million, is the Orient's economic showcase. But readiness to help fill the Asian power vacuum left by the 1945 collapse of the Japanese Empire is certain to put heavy strains on U.S.-Japanese relations. Japanese perspectives with respect to Communist China, for example, differ markedly from those of the United States. More immediately serious is the fact that the American military effort in Viet Nam, especially the bombing attacks on North Viet Nam, has caused widespread misgivings in Japan.

Already, because of the Southeast Asian conflict and other problems, Japanese of all political views are discussing the future of the American-Japanese security treaty, which becomes subject to review in 1970. Pressure also is slowly developing in some quarters for a revision of a provision of the Japanese constitution that severely restricts Japan's right to maintain military forces. Responsible voices in both the United States and Japan warn that present and potential areas of discord must be dealt with promptly and with understanding. Otherwise, Japan's new nationalism is likely to take an anti-American turn and endanger a friendly relationship that has been one of the remarkable developments of the period since World War II.

As part of the new American effort to create better understanding of U.S. policies in Asia, Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey on Dec. 28 paid a “courtesy call” on Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in Tokyo. In stopping briefly in Tokyo on his Asian tour, Humphrey told the Japanese that the United States valued their friendship, looked for their advice, needed their help “in our common endeavors.” Specifically, he urged Japan to do anything it could to bring about a conference to achieve peace in Viet Nam and to step up medical contributions to the allied effort there. Two Communist organizations mounted small rallies to protest the Humphrey visit and demand abrogation of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty.