Asia-Pacific is becoming a region where international competition and power struggles occur as days pass. In this regard, it can be argued that the mentioned region is the central area of global influence conflicts. This is because it can be said that the rivalries in the Asia-Pacific are basically manifested through the poles built, the alliances involved, and the exercises carried out. As a matter of fact, this situation makes the actions and discourses of the countries in the region significant.
One of the most essential reasons why the region has such a framework is that China is located in this region. Because China is a global power and aims to compete with the United States of America (USA) in the “rules-based international order”. The global power struggle between China and the USA, which is against Western hegemony based on its search for multipolarity, further increases the importance of the region. Another important reason is that Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, is located in this region. Because Japan is a significant actor both in terms of its history and current situation. Moreover, the other issue that increases the importance of the region, it can be mentioned that North Korea, which is a great nuclear power, is located in this region.
When the basic cyclical framework of the region is drawn, it can be said that under the leadership of the USA and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), states such as Australia, the Philippines, South Korea, New Zealand, Japan, and Vietnam draw attention. Against this pole, it is seen that there are states that share a similar perspective against Western hegemony, such as China and North Korea. This is because polar politics constitutes the political ground of the region.
Especially considering that global security equations are based on this region, the “security” and “defense” themed documents and reports of the states in the region are significant. This is why the definitions and action plans in the aforementioned documents are critical for the security framework of the Asia-Pacific. At this point, it is important to examine the definitions of “close neighbor”[1] for Japan and “enemy”[2] for North Korea in the South Korea Defense Report[3] published by the Ministry of National Defense of South Korea on February 16, 2023.
As a matter of fact, it is noteworthy that South Korea names Japan as its “close neighbor” in the document and that Tokyo is an actor that Seoul should establish a cooperative relationship for the future. This is because, in the document published in 2020, Japan was named only as a “neighboring country”. In addition to all these, it was stated in the previous document in 2022 that both countries have common values and that the Ministry of National Defense of South Korea should develop close relations with Japan.[4]
In this context, it is worth mentioning that South Korea and Japan are the states that most closely feel the nuclear danger posed by North Korea due to both their ideological perspectives and their geographical locations. At the same time, due to the fact that they have a Western perspective, these states are currently in close proximity to their foreign policy production processes.
However, the USA and NATO are trying to consolidate these countries both within the scope of China’s containment policy and in opposition to North Korea. At the present time, joint exercises are held in the region with the cooperation of the USA, South Korea, and Japan.
All these matters increase the rapprochement between South Korea and Japan. Yet, the close relations shaped in the context of a common threat were ultimately reflected in practice as the USA and NATO gained influence in the region. Although there is still a conflict over the Dokdo and Takeshima Islands, the definition of Tokyo as a close neighbor in the defense document published by Seoul indicates that the parties will continue their relations through alliances. Because of in his speech on March 1, 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defined Japan as “an ally that shares the same international values with South Korea”. He also stated that Seoul and Tokyo should cooperate in the face of the economy, security, and global problems.[5]
In a nutshell, both the Western perspective and the common threat perception are the factors that bring South Korea and Japan closer to each other. As a matter of fact, as long as the threat perceptions regarding China and North Korea continue at the regional and global level, it can be forecasted that the cooperation between South Korea and Japan will remain.
[1] “Korean Defense Paper Describes Japan as Close Neighbor”, The Japan News, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20230216-91466/, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
[2] “South Korea Defense Report Revives ‘Enemy’ Label For North”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/politics-south-korea-government-north-united-states-aca638944fed301cb4ccbfc6dcd84113, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
[3] “‘Surprise Attacks at Any Time’: South Korean Defense Report Outlines North’s Ongoing Threats”, Stars and Stripes, https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2023-02-17/south-korea-defense-white-paper-9171082.html, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
[4] “Korean Defense Paper Describes Japan as Close Neighbor”, The Japan News, https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/world/asia-pacific/20230216-91466/, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
[5] “South Korea’s Yoon Renews Hopes For İmproved Ties with Japan”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-japan-history-disputes-a5cd13cda03323ed8b0f0ff0850cc000, (Date of Accession: 03.03.2023).
