Japan Must Tread Carefully in Lining Up With U.S. and Taiwan

All three governments are applying the 21st century concept of economic security while carrying the memory of 20th century exploitation. They are trying to manage security dilemmas, ideological differences, and a bifurcating global order as the world departs from the postwar era of globalization and free trade.

Japan's apparent willingness to play a supporting role in America's Indo-Pacific strategy, in terms of both traditional and economic security, demonstrates the inescapability of the U.S.-China competition in the region. But just because Japan cannot avoid the Washington-Beijing rivalry does not mean it should join it wholeheartedly, especially through symbols of support that do little of substance for Taiwan while crossing Beijing's known red lines.

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