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Originally Posted by Sangetsu
Untrue. Superficially, such policies changes may be enacted, but there will be no substance to them. The reason is mainly cultural. Japan does have ties to Korea and China, but Japan's relationship with America is unique.
First and foremost, this relationship is based upon a respect that began with the arrival of Commodore Perry and his Black Ships, and which was then reaffirmed when Japan was defeated in World War 2, when, once again, American warships arrived in Tokyo.
China and Korea have closer cultural ties to Japan, but their historical relationship is much different. Regardless of what these countries say nowadays, memories of the war still linger, and a sour taste remains. Japan has never been sympathetic to the losses which the Chinese and other Asians endured during the war at Japanese hands, and Japan has never been sympathetic to those whom they defeated, or who surrendered to them.
America is unique in Japanese history as the America is the only country ever to conquer Japan.
Prior to the war, Japan considered their culture to be the most superior in Asia, and likely, the world. Early victories in the war only affirmed their opinion, China suffered repeated defeats, the rest of Southeast Asia was conquered with relative ease, with the European and other imperialists (England, France, Holland, and even America) quickly driven out of their Asian/Pacific colonies.
But this period of victory was brief. America's wartime industrial capacity was staggering, surpassing that of the rest of the world combined. Bombs first fell on Tokyo only 5 months after Pearl Harbor
The end of the war saw life in Japan change dramatically with the Emperor's unconditional surrender. Japan, for all intents and purposes became another American territory. The Japanese could no longer believe that Japan possessed the world's most superior culture, so they embraced the culture of their conquerors.
This unique relationship between Japan and America will not last forever, but it will not die soon. Memories in Asia run much longer and deeper than in other parts of the world. Even now, most Japanese consider America to be a superior country in many ways. And Chinese resentment to Japanese atrocity during the war remains strong. Korea is less animistic, having been conquered many times over the centuries, but Korea is an economic competitor with Japan, vying with other Asian countries for the markets in Europe and Asia.
The current diplo-speak in Japan is mere political rhetoric; politicians love to promise "change" in their campaigns, only to maintain the status quo once they are elected.
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Your argument is well reasoned... but how do you explain the fact that relations between Japan and it's neighbours are improving and are better than ever in some instances.
You seem to be counting on historical grievances to blind Japan and it's neighbours to any regional advantages of a thawing in relations in a world where the US is rapidly unable to maintain it's dominance.