The United States is discussing the possibilities of lifting restrictions on Japan’s security capacity with much thought . However, currently Japan’s main concern is upgrading the bilateral security arrangement (BL) between the United States for the territorial defense of Japan . After the cold war, though, the United States could not ignore Japan’s role in a wider regional context . In 1997 Japan successfully upgraded its guidelines for US-Japan Defense cooperation . The newly formed guidelines stated that Japan would aid the United States to deal with situations in the region . China strongly rejected these new guidelines that expanded the military role of Japan in the region because they viewed it as a threat and a destabilizing factor . Japan’s upgraded alliance angered China because it allowed Japan to operate in borders beyond its own, potentially Taiwan . China and Japan are both involved in a major security dilemma however; Japan’s active role in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) guarantees its status-quo to its allies . Japan upgrading and maintaining the ARF shifted negative attention away from their rearmament . The ARF was seen by ASEAN to keep the U.S. dominant, China and Japan down, and ASEAN safe/relevant …show more content…
In 1981 China set up the National Antarctic Expedition Committee to lead research and coordinate with other countries . Establishing the Polar Research Institute of China in 1989 put emphasis away from China’s rise in Antarctica to producing high-quality scientific research . Also in 1994 China made an Advisory Committee for polar Research, which furthered the goal of China gaining legitimacy in the Arctic. It is an important task for China to take on more of a leadership role in the ATS because countries that make major scientific discoveries in the Arctic are the ones leading the governance of the region . However, China frequently does not provide annual reports of its Antarctic activities, which may lead skeptics to believe that China has different intentions in the region . China’s engagement in Antarctica after the 1980’s has proven beneficial, improving relations with other countries . China has formed an extensive program of international collaboration with countries including many European and North American countries . Scientific merit in Antarctica serves as a building block for future cooperation between states