Japan may be the world's No. 2 economic power, but where diplomacy is concerned, Karel G. van Wolferen likens it to a boy who has to ask his parents (i.e. the United States) if he can go outside to play.

Wolferen is a professor at the University of Amsterdam but is best known for his book "The Enigma of Japanese Power."

"Achieving genuine independence from the U.S. should be the No. 1 goal for Japan" this year, he said.