WASHINGTON -- Japan's recent decision to develop a foreign policy based on support for universal values is a step forward in the development of a more coherent, strategic vision to pursue its national interests. The new policy is likely to make coordination with the United States easier and allow Tokyo to focus its efforts to compete with China for influence in areas such as Southeast Asia.
Japan should, however, learn from U.S. experience: asserting its values internationally will invite other countries to put Tokyo's behavior under the looking glass as well.
A major policy address by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso in November 2006 along with subsequent statements by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his recent tour of European countries indicate that Japan has decided to follow the path of "value-oriented diplomacy" and help establish "the arc of freedom and prosperity" along the outer rim of Eurasia.