Japan's opposition Democratic Party has been succeeded by winning a heavy majority in the recently held general elections. Ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)was facing strong criticism on account of global economic crisis and plummeting credibility of the Japanese economy. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the causes of the failure of the LDP were, in fact, the faults cropping up in the economic conditions of Japan.
The present development has provided an opportunity to the opposition to come into power. This impression is globally widespread that being a head of the unipolar globalization, the United States is responsible for the recent global economic crisis. Therefore, it would also not be wrong to state that the decision made by the Japanese people through their votes in the elections was, in fact, an expression of opinion against the US policies and its unipolar world order.
Change in Foreign Policy
Reflecting the same thinking in his article published in daily The New York Times, Yokeo Hoto Maya, chief of the party winning majority in the elections, wrote that his country would bring change in the foreign policy that would be pro-Asia instead of pro-US. He strongly lashed out at the US-style capitalist economy and fundamental perceptions behind the global market and termed them alien with the modernism.
Although, this transformation in the thinking of the Japanese people and new ruling party seems to be a minor issue; however, if viewed in the wider and large perspective of globalization, it would seem a part of the anti-US thinking, which is a proof that the anti-US feelings on international level are intensifying. Perhaps that is why the chief of the winning Japanese party has expressed the likelihood of the era of the US leadership's globalization perception is quite near because of the failure of the US war in Iraq and global economic crisis, and added we are heading toward a multipolar era. He further said that the Asian nations should also set up a single currency system like in Europe viewing fast Chinese growth.
Emergence of Anti-US Bloc
An anti-US bloc has already emerged on the international scene comprising Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, China, Russia, North Korea, Vietnam, Palestine and some other countries. Although, it is not expected from Japan that it would go to the limits of North Korea, Iran or Venezuela in opposing the United States; however, the changing direction of its foreign policy would affect the US-Japan relations in any way.
This fact needs no denial that the world has not witnessed anything during the unipolar globalization except devastation, destruction, and economic meltdown. Earlier the bipolar era was also the age of suffering and differences for the entire world. It would be known in the future as to what sort of multipolar world would be like and how law and order situation would be improved.
The situation, for the time being, is that the number of members of the anti-US bloc is on the increase, and it can be termed an important development toward the end of unipolar order in any way. The changing global affairs require that the South Asian countries should also bring appropriate changes in its foreign policy and take practical steps to suit it to the requirements of this modern era. We do not say that the South Asian countries should turn against the United States. However, it is necessary that we should not remain dependent on the United States; rather we should maintain our independence. The newly formed Japanese Government has talked about improving its relations with Asia by diverting its direction from the United States.
Lesson for South Asian Countries
It would, therefore, be appropriate for the South Asian countries to benefit from this situation and take measures to improve relations with Japan. This move will provide an opportunity to the South Asian countries to pull itself out of the US domination and establish bilateral relations with other countries on equal footing. This would also help us in tackling with the economic crisis and financial constraints.
It would be better for the United States to pay attention to maintain peace and justice instead of bullying and deceit, if it intends to maintain the honor that the United States achieved as being the only superpower of the world following the Soviet Union's disintegration in the last days of the previous century. This would materialize the years-long dreams of establishing peace on the earth for the rest of the international nations. It is also a decided fact that if the US leadership does not bring timely changes in this regard, none could be able to stop from proving true the prediction of the end of the unipolar order.
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