The strategy for dealing with China’s rise as a military power, however, should not be focused on taking an antagonistic stance toward China, which would only heighten tensions in the region.
It would be in Japan’s best interest to make steady efforts for effective neighboring diplomacy to promote regional stability under a strategy not heavily tilted toward military responses while pursuing a good balance between the security treaty and the restrictions imposed by Article 9.
From this point of view, it is highly significant for Japan to stick to its traditional exclusively defensive security policy under Article 9 and seek solid cooperation with the United States based on an appropriate, if asymmetrical, division of roles.
