Stepping Up to the UN Plate

Some of North Korea’s missile tests in early July may have failed, but Japan recognizes that the rogue nation has reliable Rodong ballistic missiles that could enable it to wage attacks on its closest neighbors. A military confrontation solely between Japan and North Korea would probably favor the latter, so Japan relies largely on diplomatic pressure and the use of sanctions to discourage North Korea from aggression. An achievement for Japan would be to convince China and Russia to support sanctions against North Korea if it continues testing missiles. Also, the need for high-pressure diplomacy provides incentive for Japan to secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. At the same time, Japan must assess its ability to mount a counterattack on North Korea. The need for both diplomatic maneuvering and military preparation, under mounting pressure from an unpredictable North Korea, forces Japan to grapple with revision of its constitution as well as its post-WWII identity. – YaleGlobal