By JEFF KINGSTON
CLIENT STATE: Japan in the American Embrace, by Gavan McCormack. New York: Verso Press, 2007, 246 pp., $ 29.95 (paper)

--------------------------------------------

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi are usually portrayed as assertive nationalists, but come off here as dutiful and submissive gophers carrying out the Bush administration's agenda. Looking behind the patriotic rhetoric, Gavan McCormack, professor emeritus at Australia National University, argues that the closer embrace of the United States at the opening of the 21st century has widened the gulf between Japan and its neighbors. Japan's "neocons" are isolating Japan and making it more dependent on the U.S. while pretending to be assertive and charting their own destiny.

In trying to become the Great Britain of Asia, Japan is casting off its security constraints and trying to meet U.S. demands, but in doing so is alienating China and both Koreas. Moreover, despite accommodating U.S. demands, it's views are ignored and counsel unsolicited on matters of importance. In this unequal alliance, Japan is treated like a vassal and used as an ATM.

"Client State's" central thesis is that Japan is a puppet state, one that emerged during the U.S. Occupation 1945-52. McCormack points out that the three key issues at that time -- the role of the emperor, the role of the military and relations with Asian neighbors -- remain "vexed and unresolved."

Like Noam Chomsky and Chalmers Johnson, McCormack challenges the dominant narrative and underlying assumptions, raising serious questions about the nature of the U.S.-Japan relationship that are often buried behind nostrums about "the most important alliance bar none." He writes,"The Koizumi-Abe 'revolution' actually meant the liquidation of some important residual levers of Japanese autonomy, and the acceptance of an even higher level of submission and exploitation within the U.S. global empire."

McCormack explains that, "Identity is the fundamental unresolved question of Japan's modern history." In this context one can better understand the culture war being waged by Abe in imposing patriotic education, airbrushing Japan’s wartime history and promoting constitutional revision. By allowing the emperor to remain institutionalized as the symbol of the state in the Constitution, embracing the wartime conservative elite and postponing any reckoning over Japan's shared history with Asia due to the Cold War, Washington has powerfully shaped Japan's identity. These policies keep Japan aloof from the region and impair moves toward regional reconciliation.

Because Japan has been nurtured as a dependent "superstate" with an American-imposed identity, the author believes that "The symbols and rhetoric of nationalism function as empty conceits, while the substance of nation is denied." He adds that "prime ministerial visits to Yasukuni Shrine are a sign not of a reviving nationalism so much as an attempt to compensate for an abandoned one."

"Client State" details the general rightward shift in Japan over the past decade and the spread of violence against critics of this trend. McCormack rightly condemns the shameless silence of then Prime Minister Koizumi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe for a full 10 days after the arson attack against Koichi Kato, former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, in August 2006 following Kato's criticism of visits to Yasukuni. This eloquent silence was "tantamount to consent" and hardly encouraging about the state of democracy in Japan.

--------------------------------------------

Jeff Kingston is Director of Asian Studies at Temple University, Japan campus.

Please discuss your opinion on this.

For all the nutballs in here who don't think the US influences Japan's refusal to apologize, there you have it. An apology would make the US look bad for backing a nation that has victimized its neighbors. And the last thing America wants is a Far East that has kissed and made up because that is a Far East that will pull the rug out from under the West.

What a bunch of baloney! Some people always make the USA to be the bad guy. When will the conspiracy theories end? Japan chooses wether or not to apologize. There is no outside influence.

I don't think the U.S discourages Japan from apologizing either; not directly at least. They do however, support people with a political agenda that aligns with anti-China, Blue Team, realpolitik-neocon antics. Chen Shui Bian, Koizumi, et. all are all more or less the same. Promote "assertive nationalism" and "independence", but actually be the submissive oriental geisha of American corporate and political interests.

This is why moderates and sensible people like Ma Ying-Jeou and Yasuo Fukuda are seen in a more negative light in neocon circles; because they deviate from cold war mentality and zero-sum game.

I don't think S.K, Japan and Taiwan should bow down to China (China doesn't demand it from the first two, either) but they should not be dependent on the U.S for anything. Have good relations, yes. But being submissive American mouthpieces is too much.

It is decidely in Japan's interests for them to pursue strong economic relations with China. The public is becoming increasingly aware of this, from what I gather. Neocon interests are against any kind of cooperation between China and her neighbors; and poor leaders have taken up American interests over their own national interests.

^ simple, USA want to be Bigbrother of Asia and Americans like to use Japan as their shield.

Sneaky Koreans are now realizing this was trap, and trying hard to get out of US controls.
If Korea joins Chinese alliance, then Japan is toss, and this is why USA is being nice to Koreans.

America is being nice to Korea because Bush's former NK policy has failed. Most Japanese people support US troops and America despite what some Japanese right wingers say. If Japan is the USA's shield it's because the Japanese asked for it.

Yes, I do get the creeps when I see a Japanese Prime Minister and Bush laughing together. It seems so phony. Surely, these world leaders don't like Bush's policies. The Japanese people don't but still support America.

Japan has always been a puppet to someone throughout its entire history. First the Fujiwara, then the Tokugawa, now the Americans. They are born puppets and always will remain puppets.

Every single person in Japan needs to read this book.

It's pretty fvcking hilarious and pathetic how delusional most Japanese are about their relationship with the US. Japan is not a client state, it's a fvcking colony. To the US, Japan is nothing more than a lacky/ATM/brothel (correction, brothels cost money, Japanese women do American men without charge, and they clean your room afterwards).

It's good that Fukuda got installed, he may yet change the disastrous course that the country is taking. On it's present course, Japan will see its annihilation by the current and future members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

This sounds like an awesome book. I'm thinking of purchasing it over amazon.

Guys, don't under estimate Japan, Japan is the largest economy in Asia and because of Japan, east Asian nations enjoying economic success.

Where do you guys think machinery are from? Most Chinese & Korean companies actually use Japanese parts and machinery for production. Some delusional people overly rate Japan as next regional power broker and economy super power and other anti-Japan factions rate Japan as American puppet, but we should know Japan is actually far better than China & Korea combined.

In near future, Japan will lead space, science, social-science, democracy, pop-culture, media etc.. in Asia. You will see Japan could become next Big brother of Asia.

You can not ignore the power of money.

That's what you don't get. It doesn't matter how rich you are if you're under strict control and I did not ignore the power of money, in fact, it is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! Japan could have been the second most powerful country in the world if it is not the US puppet.
In near future, Japan will lead space, science, social-science, democracy, pop-culture, media etc.??? Dude, Japan used to lead all those fields!!! Now they can't anymore because the US won't let them grow too much for sure.

I always think Japan leads specially in modern technology , etc... . I always wanted to see what's new in their inventions.But sad to hear that, if they would remain a US puppet.

Japan used to lead the world in terms of technology innovation. It is just amazing what japanese people are capable of. In gaming technology 10 years ago when FFVII came out, I was just shocked of how advance the japanese gaming technology has become when the US still plays Mario nintendo..... There are various more innovation in Japan that was just unbelievable. Unfortunately, Japan will never become world power, because they are way behind in military field since the US restrict them from having an army...

A BIG IF, considering the North Koreans pointed hundreds of missiles to South Korea.

They still are.

I don't think you aware of Japan's true military capabilities, didn't you seen the news. It was Japan who sent probe to moon before China.
And they are leading fund raiser for ISS, UN, and they participated more UN peace keeping missions than any other Asian countries.

Oh, have you seen their naval force? They have the most advanced frigates, destroyers, submarines and access their air force is much more advanced than any other asian nations.

in case u havent notice japan is already a big brother in asia with the second largest economy in the world. and by no doubt, its naval capability is unmatched second to USN in the world (like WW2, but of course the americans wont let them get anymore stronger otherwise... pearl harbor again)

space wise, i think china is more advanced in this field in term of rockets and manned spaced missions while japan is more advance in terms of senors and electronic systems.

WOW

I'm taking the next flight out



Yeah, the Japanese have all their resources stolen by greedy Yankees. That's why they're the 2nd largest economy in the world.

Man, Che made a mistake going to Bolivia. The real action is in Tokyo (And I'm not just talkin about free sex for Americans).



that anyone would believe this stuff.



Cry me a river

OK, I get it USA is puppet master and Japan is sexdoll for American GI.

Pretty much yeah.

And Japan will never lead Asia. No matter how rich or technologically advanced a colony gets, it's still a colony.

If you follow international politics closely, you'd know that Japan is losing soft-power to China faster than it's losing women to nerdy white anime freaks. Most Asian nations have a far better relationship with China than with Japan.

And if it ever did come down to any military scuffle with Japan, the Japanese navy wouldn't stand much of a chance since the battle would happen within range of land-based weapons of both China and Russia (and oh yes, Russia would love to join the fight).

The reason Japan will never lead Asia are:

1. The wartime history baggages of shameful WWII.
2. The Red China factor.
3. The India factor.

Full stop.

BTW, the last time I checked, Japan is an independent nation. It was never colonised by foreign super power that ruled the nation, sans the period of post WWII under US GI, MacArthur.

That is where you get your facts wrong. Most developing Asian nations owe Japan much more than China, since japan is the largest Asian investor in the region.

What China did is in turn copied Japan's financial tactics to woo Asian nations. Nothing more ...

Japanese Navy will have the support of US Navy, the most powerful Navy in Asia Pacific. That alliance alone will deter the Chinese.

As for Russia, well, so far, they're busy overlooking their Eastern European theatre, not the Asia Pacific sector.

Japan is a sex doll for Japanese (99 % of the time). I don't feel sorry for the Japanese sex workers. There's no poverty; These women can find other jobs.




I don't care.

Japan has a democracy. They've chosen to be babysitted by Americans. If they want change then they should vote. But don't whine on and on about how tough you got it.

I can see enough whiny rich people on Beverly Hills 90210.

Perhaps people should say "Japan has enough economic power to be on it's own." But don't say that Japan is a colony. That's ridiculous.

Let's assume the 1st world really is exploiting the 3rd world. Well, Japan is in on it. They're co-partners with the USA. That's why thier rich. Basically they rely on the US military to exploit other nations (expand capitalism). Therefore, they're not a colony by any means.

Note: This is a totally marxist perspective. Since you guys use Marxist terms then I will discuss Marxism. That doesn't mean I'm in favor of socialism 100 percent.