A new dawn??

Japan's Liberal Democratic Party have approved the appointment of Taro Aso as their nominee for PM. In terms of internal politics the LDP have opted for the ‘safety first’ option.

But what does Aso’s presumptive acceleration to the top job mean for Japan’s international relationships?

Aso has foreign policy experience which can only be a plus. At 67, he is not quite old enough to remember clearly the Japanese defeat in August 1945. Yet that does not stop him from advocating a more assertive Japanese foreign policy.

He is concerned about the “militarisation” of Asia, particularly the massive military spending by the Chinese and the North Korean’s attempts to acquire nuclear capability. This concern is not to be criticised.

Yet the non-militarisation of Japan has been the building block upon which the post-war order in Asia has been built. Whether Aso takes steps to change this is not yet clear but it should not be ruled out. We must prevent this at all costs.

In terms of the Japan-USA relationship there will be continuity rather than change which is to be welcomed.

Aso is a supporter of internationalism and so hopefully issues such as UN reform and peacekeeping will receive a boost.

This is of course mere speculation and theorising. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.