JAPAN

Japan is well known as a competitor of great power status. Historically, in 1930s,

Japan was a great power in the region, both in military and economic capability.
The situation changed after Japan experienced deep lost in war time which made
them no longer hold major power status. In 1945, Japan completely surrendered
and had an agreement to limit its military force.
Japan, then, focused on domestic economy and put security matter on the United
States hand. With its rapid economic growth, Japan started to be a main engine
of regional economy. The military restriction which limits Japans defense
spending to no more than 1 per cent of its annual Gross National Product (GDP)
indeed gave an opportunity to Japan to increase its economic prosperity.
In spreading its influence in the region, Japan is more likely uses soft power in its
foreign policy such as diplomacy, and culture. Moreover, in 1980s, Japan had
policy to give foreign aid to countries in Asia.
However, after two decades of economic stagnation as well as declining
population, following the rise of Chinas capability to be a major power, prospect
of Japan to be a modern great power might be disappear.
Despite it has small chance being a major power in modern era, Japan still
becomes an important actor in the region. As being Chinas most vital neighbour
in term of economic partnership as well as the United States important regional
ally, Japan has a significant influence in any future bargaining of the great power.
Japan plays an important role as a third player which means that any new era in
great power relations between the United States and China will only succeed
with Japans strategic support.
Besides, Japan also has potential military capability that can not be ignored.
Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) is one of the most capable military instruments
in the region that it has policy to advance its military equipment such as
submarines, aircraft, surface warship, and command and control system.
Moreover, Japan also has a cooperation with the United States in the
development of advanced missile defense system.
It also need to be calculated that Japan has nuclear power facilities which would
be able to produce nuclear weapons in short time.
Since there are emerging security threats in the region, especially with Chinas
military modernization policy, Japans politicians fells it is more than a need to
ratify the historical limitation on the use of military force in order to be able to
play a more active role in military affairs. After being ratified, Japan enjoys a
greater freedom to work with other regional armed forces.
In fact, its continued dependence on the United States military existences in the
region proves that Japan has no self-reliant ability that the United States as a
great power has, and that increasingly China to have.

RUSSIA AND INDIA

Another potential competitor for great power is Russia. Indeed, Russia is a great
power in energy resources which can be used as a diplomatic instrument to
spread its influence as what Russia have done to some European countries. But,
after its involvement in Ukraines crisis and following tension escalation with
NATO, Russias main interest to spread its influences is confirmed directed more
to Europe and Central Asia. Russia, China and some Central Asian countries
joined in regional group called Shanghai Cooperation Organization. However, its
essential role in Central Asia is different with the situation in wider Asia. In East
Asias security agenda, Russia is more likely only as a spectator rather than
active participant.
However, it is not true that Russia inappropriate actor for regional power
consideration. The United States and China should also calculate Russias huge
military capability with extensive nuclear weapon, and its vast territory. Even so,
as a sole successor of Soviet Union, Russias capability is no longer same. It is a
less evident that Russia can spread its influence in the region. Paul Dibb (1986)
mentions that Russia is more likely as an incomplete superpower since it loss
economic and political power once it had as Soviet Union.
India is a country that can not be ignored in this case. In pursuing great power
status, India currently is in a path to be catching up. Its huge population with
more than a billion people offers massive potential economic development.
Different with China, India still has upcoming best years of the relationship
between demography and economic growth. According to David Bloom (2010),
ratio between Indias working age and non-working age will still increase until
2035, while the ratio for China already peaked in 2010. This situation rises the
opportunity for India that once China becomes worlds larger economy, India will
replace it soon. In term of military, Indias growing military capability and the
existence of nuclear capability become such an essential element for being a
regional great power.
However, India still has a lot of thing to do in pursuing a great power status. It is
true that India is rising. But it still takes a time to be equal with the United States
and China. India has to solve its domestic challenges such as unequal economic
modernization and diverse democracy.