Reading Contemporary History on the period of the Vietnam War (1965-1975) brings me back to the pre-war period, which marked my parents' youth. From their stories, I vaguely imagined what the life of my grandparents could be under the double yoke of both French and Japanese colonisation. My generation was experiencing the ideological conflict that shook the foundation of Vietnamese systems of values, and my children's generation is about the post-modern world after the collapse of the Soviet bloc. As regards to my great grand parents generation, they witnessed the change from the old world dominated by the Han-Viet tradition to the new world dominated by the transitions to the modern world with the arrival of Western thinking, and now the post-modern or digital world linking with globalisation trends.
Reading History allows me to trace back my core values, which came from the Han-Viet tradition. I will start with the Nguyen's conquest of the South (Nam tien in Vietnamese) in search of a new land. As Vietnam's contemporary history is filled with dates and changes of dynasties, I limit my research framework to the literature written in the romanised alphabet (quoc ngu). My aim in doing this research is to define the shared values between countries that are part of the East Asian culture, i.e. Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and China. In extension, the Chinese-speaking communities of Southeast Asia are included in this study.
Let's start with Japan and its role in East Asian Conflicts to understand the current sentiments among Asian people who have been involved in different conflicts touching this part of the world.
Japan's role in East Asian conflicts has evolved significantly over the 20th and 21st centuries, shaped by its imperial past, post-WWII pacifism, and recent strategic reorientation amid rising regional tensions. Historically an aggressor during the early 20th century, Japan transitioned into a U.S. ally and economic power post-1945, adopting a pacifist constitution (Article 9) that limited its military to self-defence. Nowadays, Japan faces renewed tensions in the East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), prompting a shift toward a more assertive defence posture while balancing historical reconciliation with neighbours like China, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Historical Role (Early 20th Century to WWII)
Japan’s imperial expansion (1894–1945) laid the groundwork for modern East Asian conflicts:
- Sino-Japanese Wars: The First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) gained Taiwan, and the Second (1937–1945) part of WWII escalated tensions with China, including the Nanjing Massacre (1937), leaving lasting scars.
- Korean Occupation (1910–1945): Japan annexed Korea, imposing cultural assimilation and labour drafts, fueling historical animosity with South Korea.
- WWII and Pacific Theatre: Japan’s invasion of Southeast Asia (1941–1945), including Vietnam under Vichy France, aimed at resource control but ended in defeat, prompting U.S. occupation and the 1947 Constitution. Post-WWII, Japan renounced war, relying on the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty (1960) for defence, focusing on economic recovery.
This period laid the foundation for the negative sentiments of Chinese and Southeast Asian people who suffered under the boots of imperial Japan. Until 1945, stories about Japan were filled with hatred and humiliation left by war victims. However, there was also a trend of Vietnamese scholars who left for Japan to fight against Western imperialists (Cuong De, Phan Boi Chau). One school named Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc had received imprints from Japanese thoughts, and the Japanese had facilitated the transition of the new independent Vietnam from the hands of the French colonisers.
Cold War Role (1950s–1980s)
During the Cold War, Japan served as a U.S. strategic outpost against communism, avoiding direct combat but contributing indirectly:
- Korean War (1950–1953): Japan hosted U.S. bases (e.g., Yokosuka), supplied logistics, and rebuilt its economy via war-related contracts ($2.3 billion), reinforcing its U.S. alignment.
- Vietnam War (1955–1975): Japan provided non-combat support (e.g., Cam Ranh Bay facilities) and economic aid to South Vietnam, benefiting from U.S. military spending ($4 billion adjusted). Its pacifism limited direct involvement, but it gained diplomatic support from Southeast Asia.
During this period, the Japanese automotive and electronics industry left a strong mark on the Vietnamese economy. Many Vietnamese scholars and students were sent to Japan for studies. Many Japanese brands are still known to the Vietnamese consumers (Hitachi, Honda, Toyota, etc.)
Contemporary Role (1990s–2025)
Since the 1990s, Japan’s role has shifted with China’s rise and regional disputes:
- East China Sea (ECS) Disputes: Japan administers the Senkaku Islands (claimed by China as Diaoyu), leading to frequent Coast Guard standoffs and China’s 2013 ADIZ declaration. In 2025, Japan protested China’s new oil/gas platforms (May-June) and armed submarines with cruise missiles (October 8), signalling defence upgrades.
- South China Sea (SCS) Involvement: Though not a claimant, Japan supports freedom of navigation, providing patrol boats to Vietnam and the Philippines (2023–2025) and joining U.S.-led exercises.
- Legislative Changes: The 2015 security laws and 2022 National Security Strategy increased defence spending (to 2% GDP by 2027, $46 billion) and allowed counterstrike capabilities.
- Regional Diplomacy: Japan leads the Quad (with the U.S., India, and Australia) and fosters ASEAN ties, hosting summits in 2023 to counter China’s influence.
Balancing Historical Reconciliation and Security
Japan’s historical aggression complicates its role. Apologies (e.g., Murayama Statement, 1995) and reparations (e.g., $800 million to South Korea, 1965) aim to mend ties, but disputes persist—e.g., South Korea’s 2018 labour ruling and China’s WWII narratives. In 2025, Japan’s defence shift draws criticism from China and Korea, yet its economic aid ($20 billion to ASEAN in 2024) softens tensions.
Impact on East Asian Stability
Japan’s role bolsters U.S.-led containment of China, enhancing deterrence in the ECS and SCS. However, militarisation risks escalation—e.g., 2025 aerial intercepts near Senkaku—and strains trilateral cooperation with South Korea and Vietnam, who share China's concerns but resent historical baggage. In a World War III scenario, Japan’s alliance with the U.S. would likely counter China rather than align with it, despite shared Confucian roots.
Ethical Dimensions
Japan’s transition from aggressor to peacekeeper raises ethical questions on militarization’s legitimacy, aligning with Globethics discussions on reconciliation and justice in Asian conflicts.
Recommended readings include the Globethics series on Confucian Ethics and Legitimacy. In terms of ethics and spiritual literature, the Bushido way of life and the Zen practices remain references to the ethics-minded people of Vietnam.
(Source: various sources combined)
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