WASHINGTON -- Earlier this month, at the United Nations, Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono pressed Japan's case for a permanent U.N. Security Council seat. He argued that Japan's hefty financial contributions to the U.N., its other foreign assistance activities and its strong support for global nonproliferation and arms control make it a top global player -- not only in economics and diplomacy, but in the security sphere as well.
As a supporter of a stronger, more confident, more assertive Japan, I welcome the attitude that led Kono to make his proposal. But it seems premature, nonetheless. The Security Council is designed to promote and protect international security. Japan is not yet a top-tier contributor to such efforts. It should have to do more before gaining the special status of a permanent Security Council member.
To be sure, Japan already makes important contributions to international peace and stability. Its contributions to the U.S.-Japan alliance, mostly in terms of base access and host-nation support, are generous and significant. Tokyo's ban on the export of weaponry makes Japan a positive force in nonproliferation efforts, and its principled stand against weapons of mass destruction makes it a strong supporter of arms control as well. Japanese defense forces have impressive capability.