Evaluating the dynamic Sino-Japanese security relations after the Cold War

Abstract

Sino-Japanese security relations are often described as an uneasy mix of uniting and dividing issue. While Beijing is suspicious of any moves that hint at Japan developing a more active and assertive security posture since the end of the Cold War, Japanese defense planners note with alarm China's burgeoning military modernization along with its rapid economic growth. The Sino-Japanese security relationship is in jeopardy of deteriorating further in the years to come. Nevertheless, what's irony is that both Japan and China have become bound by a tight economic interdependence despite their animosities. Besides, with surging globalization and regionalization, the two major Asian powers have been obsessed with gradual clustered security interdependence. It can be seen that the two neighboring countries are involved in quite a complex security relationship. Therefore, in order to understand the Sino-Japanese security relations more deeply, this paper looks at their security relations since the end of the Cold War through identifying factors that hinder the bilateral security relationship in a positive direction and by assessing how significance the security development means contribute to their security relations. After examination, the paper argues that the security development means can merely play a limited role in enhancing the bilateral trust and cooperation. Institutionalization based on common interest should be the only feasible way to elevate the Sino-Japanese security relations.