Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran obtained these documents through a complex security operation carried out months ago.
Iran's Ministry of Intelligence publishes classified photos of nuclear facilities in 'Israel', along with confidential documents related to US and European scientists.
Three people were injured in a shooting at an immigration office in Dallas, Texas, and the attacker was killed.
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The absence of Sayyed Hassan places a responsibility on us all to continue on the path of eliminating the entity and liberating the land
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The relationship between the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine was led on Hezbollah’s side by Sayyed Nasrallah, serving the resistance and achieving accomplishments
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: There is a deep-rooted relationship that has developed between the Resistance in Palestine, especially Hamas, and the Resistance in Lebanon, namely Hezbollah
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: Hezbollah has previously lost its Secretary-General, Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi, yet it grew stronger, achieved liberation in 2000, and fought a heroic battle in 2006
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: There is no doubt that the absence of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has left its mark, and we affirm that the martyrdom of leaders will not break the resistance
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is trying to buy time, hoping to achieve a political gain it hasn’t secured in two years of aggression
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: It has become clear that the Zionist entity is not interested in a truce or a ceasefire

Tokyo caught between US uncertainty, China’s rise: Japan Times

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Sep 2025 14:10
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Japan faces its toughest strategic test since WWII, Japan Times reports, balancing US security doubts with China’s growing economic and regional power.

Listen
  • x
  • People walk in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Monday, September 1, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP)
    People walk in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan's Nikkei index at a securities firm Monday, September 1, 2025, in Tokyo. (AP)

Japan is confronting its starkest strategic challenge in decades as it struggles to balance reliance on a less dependable United States with growing dependence on an assertive China, The Japan Times reported Thursday.

According to the paper, the US-led order that underpinned Japan’s postwar prosperity is gone, but a new system has yet to take shape. This “interregnum,” a concept borrowed from Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, leaves Tokyo navigating between a weary security patron in Washington and a dominant economic partner in Beijing.

The Japan Times described Japan’s predicament as a prisoner’s dilemma. If Tokyo deepens ties with Washington while US commitments to Asia fade, it risks isolation. If it leans toward Beijing, it risks subordination. Maintaining strong ties with both is increasingly untenable as the US-China rivalry escalates.

Recent developments have sharpened these tensions. Trump’s second administration has unsettled allies with tariffs, featured public scoldings of leaders, and even laid out a red-carpet welcome for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moreover, Trump’s repeated demands that Japan pay more for US bases further eroded confidence in the alliance, The Japan Times noted.

Related News

Kurdistan oil firms reach deal with Baghdad to resume exports

Russia rejects Trump’s ‘paper tiger’ remark, cites gains in Ukraine

Limited models to follow

The paper explored several models Japan might look to, but found each inadequate. Southeast Asian “hedging” strategies, maintaining US security links while deepening economic ties with China, are not feasible for a country of Japan’s size and visibility. Hungary’s “connectivity,” balancing Western institutional ties with partnerships with China and Russia, depends on EU and NATO security guarantees Japan does not enjoy. 

Japan’s options are constrained by demographic decline, geographic vulnerability, and high costs of decoupling from China. Yet The Japan Times emphasized that Tokyo retains critical advantages: a top-10 global economy, technological strength, democratic credibility, and networks of development assistance and soft power. Institutions such as the CPTPP allow Japan to help shape new trade and governance rules, rather than accept frameworks imposed by others.

Rather than choosing between Washington and Beijing, The Japan Times argued, Tokyo must build a portfolio of partnerships. This includes defense cooperation with Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and France, and economic engagement with Southeast Asia and Europe. Japan should form different coalitions for different issues, working with certain nations on technology standards, with maritime nations on freedom of navigation, and with China on climate change.

Shaping the future order

The paper stressed that resilience must trump efficiency, stressing that Japan should develop redundant supply chains, strategic reserves, and domestic production in critical sectors, even at higher cost, as insurance against coercion.

According to The Japan Times, Japan should resist pressure to choose sides in an interregnum. Like Taiwan’s strategic ambiguity, Tokyo’s studied vagueness could buy time while it builds capabilities for multiple futures. However, the long-term aim is not neutrality, but rather acquiring agency, including ensuring that neither the US nor China dictates Japan’s future.

“The alternative,” the paper concluded, “is gambling on either US reliability or Chinese benevolence, a strategy that amounts to no strategy at all.” Instead, Tokyo must craft its own game to preserve prosperity and security in a turbulent era. 

  • Japan
  • United States
  • China
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

12 Israeli soldiers killed, wounded in Resistance operation in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
Masked Hamas fighters wave their flags during a protest against the Mideast plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, after the Friday prayer at the main road in Gaza City, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. (AP)

Gaza will be the graveyard of Israeli soldiers: Al-Qassam

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
The poster published by Al-Qassam Brigades, showing all the Israeli captives left in Gaza, September 20, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam releases captives 'farewell photo' amid Gaza City operation

  • Politics
  • 20 Sep 2025
Hezbollah's Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem delivers a speech commemorating the martyrs of the Radwan Force, September 19, 2025 (Screengrab)

Honoring Radwan Force, Sheikh Naim says Hezbollah devoted despite odds

  • Politics
  • 19 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Spain approves 'total arms embargo' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain approves 'total arms embargo' on 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Proposed US AUMF could authorize military action in over 60 countries
US & Canada

Proposed US AUMF could authorize Trump to attack 60+ countries: RS

trump vaccines
US & Canada

WHO, EU reject Trump claim linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism

Alawite man walks at an alley in Sumariya, a suburb northwest of Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Human rights abuses against Syria's Alawites continue: UN committee

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS