Is Japan Prepared for a Leadership Role?

John de Boer (Japan Fellow, Stanford University; Research Associate, GLOCOM)

Is Japan ready to assume a leadership role in an increasingly dangerous world? The London attacks brought home to many what is an every day reality for Iraqis. Just yesterday, a Baghdad Bomb killed up to 27, most of whom were children. As a key US ally and a candidate for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the Japanese government has a stated commitment to fight terrorism. It has backed this policy up with troops on the ground in Iraq and in the Indian Ocean. As the US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice told the media on July 12, Japan is a "forward ally" in the war on terrorism. But is Japan ready to handle an attack on its own people and land?

Numerous Japanese dailies are saying that Japan is not ready to deal with an attack, neither physically nor psychologically. Nearly 6 million people use Tokyo's public and private transportation systems on a daily basis. Japan's subway system has been targeted before. In March 1995, members of the Aum Supreme Truth doomsday cult attacked the Marunouchi line killing twelve people and injuring thousands. Since then a number of preventative and surveillance measures have been put into place, yet many are saying that this is not enough.

As a permanent member on the UNSC, Japan will be required to play a visibly important role in world affairs and it is only logical to assume that this could increase Japan's value as a potential target for terrorists. Simultaneously, Japanese leaders will also be given the opportunity to affect change in international affairs in a way that reduces the risk of terror globally and domestically.

Japan can make a change. Prime Minister Koizumi's announcement to increase his country's ODA budget by ten billion dollars could be a step in this direction if it is used to address the root causes of terrorism. The government also needs to prepare its citizens, hospitals, police and other services for the possibility of an attack. A permanent seat on the UNSC is an attractive proposition and Japan deserves this post. Yet, the key question that Japanese leaders have to answer is whether or not they are prepared to deal with the consequences and responsibilities that come with such a privilege.