Japan in a Multipolar World

Democratic peace theory adepts started to distinguish between these two after encountering counterarguments about, for example, new African countries that, while being new made democracies, have had military conflicts among themselves.
While democratization of such countries as Chine, if possible at all, remains a distant future option, I would rather opt for the strengthening of the regional cooperation and, in territorial issues, trying to preserve the status quo, as at the present moment no other solution is visible.
To sum up in words of Thomas Berger, in the new multipolar world Japan’s role has been in a flux, but one can perhaps make three assertions about Japan's future. Firstly, Japan is becoming a more active player on the international stage. Secondly, while Japan still remains restrained in its opinions about use of military force, politicians have come to openly discuss the issue. Thirdly, Japan is becoming more cosmopolitan, even liberal views regarding international politics. While traditionally Japan practised realpolitik, placing the main emphasis on protecting national (especially economic) interests, now Japan seems to be willing to participate in and contribute more to the international scene, including international organizations.[1, p.259-260]
In my opinions, all these three trends can be viewed as positive developments, indicating that Japan is taking on a more active role in defining its own place in the multipolar world.
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