Japan_NP1 Is_VBZ Fading_VVG One_MC1 thing_NN1 the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE next_MD leaders_NN2 do_VD0 n't_XX talk_VVI about_II is_VBZ growth_NN1 ._. 
Japan_NP1 is_VBZ heading_VVG into_II a_AT1 landmark_NN1 election_NN1 in_II a_AT1 state_NN1 of_IO freefall_NN1 ._. 
Stagnant_JJ since_CS the_AT early_JJ 1990s_MC2 ,_, Japan_NP1 's_GE economy_NN1 fell_VVD off_RP a_AT1 cliff_NN1 in_II the_AT last_MD quarter_NN1 ,_, dropping_VVG 15.2_MC percent_NNU in_II the_AT worst_JJT collapse_NN1 of_IO any_DD industrial_JJ nation_NN1 in_II decades_NNT2 ._. 
Automakers_NN2 --_JJ Toyota_NP1 ,_, Nissan_NP1 ,_, and_CC Honda_NP1 ,_, once_CS the_AT heart_NN1 of_IO the_AT Japanese_JJ industrial_JJ miracle_NN1 --_NN1 saw_VVD exports_NN2 fall_VVI 70_MC percent_NNU in_II April_NPM1 ,_, and_CC were_VBDR forced_VVN to_TO shutter_VVI factories_NN2 to_TO clear_VVI inventory_NN1 ._. 
Since_CS pocketbook_NN1 issues_NN2 decide_VV0 elections_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX surprising_JJ that_CST Japanese_JJ voters_NN2 appeared_VVD poised_VVN to_TO toss_VVI out_RP the_AT ruling_JJ Liberal_JJ Democratic_JJ Party_NN1 (_( LDP_NP1 )_) ,_, only_RR the_AT second_MD time_NNT1 it_PPH1 has_VHZ lost_VVN power_NN1 in_II half_DB a_AT1 century_NNT1 ._. 
Meanwhile_RR ,_, China_NP1 is_VBZ launching_VVG direct_JJ challenges_NN2 to_II Japan_NP1 's_GE position_NN1 as_II the_AT leading_JJ economy_NN1 in_II Asia_NP1 ._. 
Beijing_NP1 recently_RR launched_VVN an_AT1 official_JJ campaign_NN1 to_TO build_VVI a_AT1 green_JJ car_NN1 industry_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 field_NN1 in_II which_DDQ Japan_NP1 still_RR holds_VVZ a_AT1 commanding_JJ lead_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD Japan_NP1 watchers_NN2 compare_VV0 China_NP1 's_GE green_JJ car_NN1 project_NN1 to_II Sputnik_NP1 ,_, the_AT Soviet_JJ satellite_NN1 that_CST trumped_VVD American_JJ preeminence_NN1 in_II science_NN1 and_CC technology_NN1 in_II the_AT 1950s_MC2 ._. 
Just_RR as_RG alarming_JJ ,_, China_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN making_VVG noises_NN2 about_II replacing_VVG the_AT dollar_NNU1 as_II the_AT sole_JJ international_JJ reserve_JJ currency_NN1 ,_, and_CC has_VHZ begun_VVN conducting_VVG regional_JJ financing_NN1 deals_VVZ in_II Chinese_JJ yuan_NNU instead_RR ,_, a_AT1 push_NN1 Japanese_NN1 officials_NN2 see_VV0 as_II a_AT1 direct_JJ threat_NN1 to_II the_AT yen_NN as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 brought_VVD home_RL the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST the_AT yen_NN is_VBZ not_XX used_VVN in_II this_DD1 way_NN1 by_II others_NN2 ,_, "_" notes_VVZ Yasuo_NP1 Ota_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 editorial_JJ writer_NN1 for_IF Nikkei_NP1 ._. 
The_AT worry_NN1 grew_VVD in_II July_NPM1 ,_, when_CS top_JJ Chinese_JJ officials_NN2 flew_VVD to_II Washington_NP1 ,_, D.C._NP1 ,_, to_TO continue_VVI their_APPGE high-level_JJ "_" strategic_JJ dialogue_NN1 "_" :_: "_" That_DD1 caused_VVD concern_NN1 ,_, because_CS the_AT Japanese_NN1 feel_VV0 that_CST we_PPIS2 need_VV0 to_TO be_VBI involved_JJ in_II any_DD conversation_NN1 about_II security_NN1 in_II the_AT region_NN1 ,_, "_" notes_VVZ Shinzo_NN1 Kobori_NN1 of_IO the_AT Institute_NN1 for_IF International_JJ Policy_NN1 Studies_NN2 in_II Tokyo_NP1 ._. 
So_RR Japan_NP1 is_VBZ preparing_VVG to_TO usher_VVI in_II a_AT1 new_JJ government_NN1 against_II a_AT1 backdrop_NN1 of_IO worry_NN1 that_CST the_AT nation_NN1 is_VBZ already_RR Asia_NP1 's_GE political_JJ and_CC economic_JJ also-ran_NN1 ,_, prematurely_RR playing_VVG No._NN1 2_MC to_II China_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VHZ all_RR happened_VVN fast_RR ._. 
When_CS this_DD1 decade_NNT1 opened_VVD ,_, Japan_NP1 's_GE economy_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR almost_RR four_MC times_NNT2 the_AT size_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 's_GE ,_, but_CCB in_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 China_NP1 looked_VVD set_VVN to_TO surpass_VVI Japan_NP1 by_II 2010_MC or_CC shortly_RR thereafter_RT ._. 
Now_RT ,_, with_IW China_NP1 still_RR growing_VVG at_II 8_MC percent_NNU a_AT1 year_NNT1 and_CC Japan_NP1 shrinking_NN1 ,_, commentators_NN2 in_II Japan_NP1 have_VH0 been_VBN forced_VVN to_TO admit_VVI that_CST the_AT switch_NN1 will_VM likely_RR come_VVI even_RR sooner_RRR ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ nonsense_NN1 for_IF us_PPIO2 to_TO continue_VVI talking_VVG about_II competing_VVG with_IW China_NP1 &lsqb;_( for_IF sole_JJ leadership_NN1 in_II Asia_NP1 &rsqb;_) when_CS their_APPGE economy_NN1 will_VM surpass_VVI ours_PPGE by_II next_MD year_NNT1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Kobori_NP1 ,_, echoing_VVG the_AT sentiments_NN2 of_IO other_JJ academics_NN2 ,_, writers_NN2 ,_, intellectuals_NN2 ,_, and_CC even_RR younger_JJR politicians_NN2 within_II Japan_NP1 ._. 
There_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 growing_JJ ,_, reluctant_JJ consensus_NN1 that_CST Japan_NP1 will_VM have_VHI to_TO find_VVI a_AT1 new_JJ role_NN1 ._. 
From_II the_AT Meiji_JJ Restoration_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT great_JJ flowering_NN1 of_IO Japanese_JJ innovation_NN1 and_CC reform_NN1 in_II the_AT 1860s_MC2 --_NN1 until_II recently_RR ,_, Japan_NP1 "_" had_VHD basically_RR one_MC1 goal_NN1 :_: catch_VV0 up_RP with_IW the_AT West_ND1 and_CC be_VBI accepted_VVN as_II a_AT1 great_JJ power_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 achieved_VVD that_CST in_II the_AT '80s_MC2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 've_VH0 never_RR figured_VVN out_RP what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI for_IF an_AT1 encore_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Columbia_NP1 professor_NN1 and_CC Japan_NP1 expert_NN1 Gerald_NP1 Curtis_NP1 ._. 
"_" Japan_NP1 today_RT is_VBZ a_AT1 tired_JJ country_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT old_JJ model_NN1 --_NN1 work_VV0 hard_JJ and_CC save_VV0 to_TO finance_VVI exports_NN2 to_II the_AT West_ND1 --_NN1 is_VBZ clearly_RR broken_VVN ._. 
(_( The_AT other_JJ top_JJ developed_JJ export_NN1 power_NN1 ,_, Germany_NP1 ,_, has_VHZ also_RR been_VBN particularly_RR hard_RR hit_VVN by_II the_AT global_JJ recession_NN1 ,_, as_CSA all_DB the_AT rich_JJ consuming_JJ nations_NN2 of_IO the_AT West_ND1 enter_VV0 what_DDQ looks_VVZ to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 long_JJ period_NN1 of_IO slow_JJ growth_NN1 and_CC weak_JJ demand_NN1 ._. )_) 
With_IW Asia_NP1 emerging_JJ as_CSA "_" the_AT center_NN1 of_IO the_AT global_JJ economy_NN1 ,_, its_APPGE new_JJ growth_NN1 engine_NN1 ,_, Japan_NP1 now_RT has_VHZ to_TO figure_VVI out_RP how_RRQ to_TO put_VVI itself_PPX1 at_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO that_DD1 center_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Curtis_NP1 ._. 
The_AT opposition_NN1 Democratic_JJ Party_NN1 of_IO Japan_NP1 (_( DPJ_NP1 )_) clearly_RR sees_VVZ Japan_NP1 as_II a_AT1 regional_JJ Asian_JJ power_NN1 ,_, and_CC no_RR21 longer_RR22 a_AT1 nation_NN1 tied_VVD only_RR to_II the_AT West_ND1 ._. 
DPJ_NP1 leader_NN1 Yukio_NP1 Hatoyama_NP1 has_VHZ denounced_VVN the_AT global_JJ free-market_NN1 consensus_NN1 ,_, of_IO which_DDQ Japan_NP1 was_VBDZ once_RR a_AT1 happy_JJ member_NN1 ,_, blaming_VVG "_" globalism_NN1 "_" and_CC "_" U.S.-led_JJ free-market_NN1 fundamentalism_NN1 "_" for_IF the_AT current_JJ crisis_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE vision_NN1 amounts_VVZ to_II a_AT1 retreat_NN1 inward_RL ,_, beefing_VVG up_RP "_" fraternity_NN1 "_" at_II home_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 stronger_JJR welfare_NN1 state_NN1 ,_, and_CC more_RGR generous_JJ pensions_NN2 and_CC child_NN1 support_NN1 ,_, while_CS refocusing_VVG Japan_NP1 's_GE trade_NN1 and_CC investment_NN1 strategies_NN2 on_II East_ND1 Asia_NP1 ._. 
Alarmingly_RR ,_, however_RR ,_, the_AT DPJ_NP1 manifesto_NN1 did_VDD not_XX even_RR mention_VVI "_" growth_NN1 "_" until_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ attacked_VVN by_II the_AT LDP_NP1 ,_, suggesting_VVG that_CST the_AT DPJ_NP1 does_VDZ n't_XX quite_RR get_VVI its_APPGE predicament_NN1 ._. 
Maintaining_VVG Japan_NP1 's_GE comfortable_JJ standard_NN1 of_IO living_NN1 wo_VM n't_XX be_VBI possible_JJ without_IW growth_NN1 ._. 
American_JJ and_CC Japanese_JJ intellectuals_NN2 have_VH0 compared_VVN Japan_NP1 's_GE new_JJ position_NN1 to_II Canada_NP1 's_GE ,_, or_CC Switzerland_NP1 's_GE --_JJ rich_JJ ,_, content_JJ powers_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 learned_VVN to_TO thrive_VVI alongside_II giant_JJ neighbors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT problem_NN1 ,_, says_VVZ MIT_NP1 Japan_NP1 expert_NN1 Richard_NP1 Samuels_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ that_DD1 it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 painful_JJ "_" deep_JJ dive_NN1 "_" for_IF Japan_NP1 to_TO go_VVI the_AT way_NN1 of_IO Canada_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ has_VHZ an_AT1 economy_NN1 more_DAR than_CSN three_MC times_NNT2 smaller_JJR ,_, and_CC smoother_JJR relations_NN2 with_IW the_AT U.S._NP1 than_CSN Japan_NP1 has_VHZ with_IW China_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Asian_JJ powers_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 rough_JJ history_NN1 dating_VVG to_II the_AT Japanese_JJ occupation_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 in_II World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC ,_, and_CC often_RR competing_JJ interests_NN2 in_II trade_NN1 and_CC security_NN1 ._. 
Japan_NP1 is_VBZ still_RR protected_VVN by_II the_AT U.S._NP1 nuclear_JJ umbrella_NN1 ,_, now_RT primarily_RR against_II possible_JJ future_JJ threats_NN2 from_II China_NP1 ._. 
Others_NN2 have_VH0 suggested_VVN that_CST a_AT1 more_RGR fitting_JJ model_NN1 could_VM be_VBI found_VVN in_II France_NP1 ,_, the_AT wealthy_JJ co-leader_NN1 with_IW Germany_NP1 of_IO a_AT1 powerful_JJ regional_JJ bloc_NN1 ._. 
Japan_NP1 and_CC China_NP1 might_VM play_VVI this_DD1 role_NN1 together_RL in_II Asia_NP1 ._. 
The_AT DPJ_NP1 has_VHZ even_RR proposed_VVN French-style_JJ child_NN1 subsidies_NN2 to_TO boost_VVI the_AT country_NN1 's_GE birthrate_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ would_VM revive_VVI some_DD of_IO the_AT economic_JJ dynamism_NN1 Japan_NP1 has_VHZ lost_VVN as_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO having_VHG the_AT world_NN1 's_GE most_RGT rapidly_RR aging_JJ population_NN1 ._. 
Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, the_AT EU_NP1 started_VVD as_II the_AT European_JJ Coal_NN1 and_CC Steel_NP1 Community_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 postwar_JJ French-German_JJ alliance_NN1 to_TO share_VVI resources_NN2 ;_; China_NP1 and_CC Japan_NP1 are_VBR still_RR fighting_VVG over_RP offshore_JJ oil_NN1 rights_NN2 and_CC atrocities_NN2 from_II World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC ._. 
The_AT huge_JJ gap_NN1 in_II average_JJ yearly_JJ incomes_NN2 --_JJ $34,080_NNU in_II Japan_NP1 and_CC $2,000_NNU in_II China_NP1 --_NN1 will_VM make_VVI it_PPH1 difficult_JJ for_IF them_PPHO2 to_TO work_VVI together_RL as_CSA regional_JJ leaders_NN2 ,_, the_AT way_NN1 Germany_NP1 and_CC France_NP1 do_VD0 ._. 
Yet_RR the_AT benefits_NN2 of_IO an_AT1 aggressive_JJ regional_JJ strategy_NN1 are_VBR clear_JJ --_NN1 France_NP1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, has_VHZ boosted_VVN its_APPGE per_JJ21 capita_JJ22 income_NN1 by_II 42_MC percent_NNU since_CS the_AT formation_NN1 of_IO the_AT European_JJ Union_NN1 in_II 1993_MC ,_, and_CC no_PN121 one_PN122 doubts_VVZ that_CST it_PPH1 has_VHZ gained_VVN greatly_RR by_II leveraging_VVG the_AT common_JJ market_NN1 ._. 
Japan_NP1 could_VM do_VDI the_AT same_DA ._. 
Goldman_NP1 Sachs_NP1 predicts_VVZ that_CST the_AT major_JJ emerging_JJ markets_NN2 ,_, led_VVN by_II China_NP1 and_CC India_NP1 ,_, will_VM overtake_VVI the_AT combined_JJ GDP_NN1 of_IO the_AT G7_FO by_II 2027_MC ,_, a_AT1 decade_NNT1 faster_RRR than_CSN previously_RR thought_VVN ._. 
By_II 2010_MC China_NP1 will_VM account_VVI for_IF an_AT1 amazing_JJ 30_MC percent_NNU of_IO global_JJ consumption_NN1 growth_NN1 ,_, more_RRR than_CSN the_AT G3_FO and_CC double_VV0 that_DD1 of_IO the_AT U.S._NP1 The_AT Japanese_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS have_VH0 hitherto_RT focused_VVN more_RRR on_II economic_JJ ties_NN2 to_II the_AT U.S._NP1 and_CC Europe_NP1 ,_, are_VBR slowly_RR beginning_VVG to_TO realize_VVI that_CST they_PPHS2 would_VM do_VDI well_RR to_TO ride_VVI this_DD1 train_NN1 ._. 
Growth_NN1 is_VBZ imperative_JJ ,_, whether_CSW the_AT DPJ_NP1 acknowledges_VVZ it_PPH1 or_CC not_XX ._. 
Economists_NN2 often_RR talk_VV0 about_II how_RRQ the_AT Japanese_JJ need_NN1 to_TO boost_VVI domestic_JJ consumption_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ has_VHZ been_VBN flat_JJ for_IF a_AT1 decade_NNT1 ,_, to_TO make_VVI up_RP for_IF falling_VVG exports_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT domestic_JJ market_NN1 is_VBZ shrinking_VVG ._. 
The_AT population_NN1 peaked_VVN in_II 2004_MC at_II 128_MC million_NNO ,_, and_CC is_VBZ projected_VVN to_TO fall_VVI to_II 90_MC million_NNO by_II 2055_MC ._. 
The_AT ratio_NN1 of_IO working-age_NN1 to_II elderly_JJ Japanese_NN1 fell_VVD from_II 8:1_MC in_II 1975_MC to_II about_RG 3:1_MC in_II 2005_MC ,_, and_CC will_VM probably_RR shrivel_VVI to_II about_RG 1.3:1_MC in_II 2055_MC ._. 
This_DD1 means_VVZ "_" there_EX is_VBZ no_AT viable_JJ model_NN1 for_IF increasing_VVG domestic_JJ consumption_NN1 &lsqb;_( to_II the_AT extent_NN1 needed_VVN &rsqb;_) ,_, "_" says_VVZ Kobori_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Japanese_NN1 are_VBR currently_RR putting_VVG 5_MC percent_NNU of_IO their_APPGE GDP_NN1 into_II fiscal_JJ stimulus_NN1 ,_, and_CC still_RR nothing_PN1 is_VBZ happening_VVG ._. 
America_NP1 is_VBZ putting_VVG 2_MC percent_NNU in_II ,_, and_CC is_VBZ now_RT in_II recovery_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ we_PPIS2 need_VV0 is_VBZ a_AT1 new_JJ model_NN1 based_VVN on_II more_RGR regional_JJ integration_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Kobori_NN1 ._. 
"_" If_CS we_PPIS2 ca_VM n't_XX find_VVI that_DD1 model_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 are_VBR in_II trouble_NN1 ._. "_" 
Japanese_JJ businesspeople_NN1 are_VBR hunting_VVG for_IF one_MC1 :_: on_II a_AT1 recent_JJ visit_NN1 to_TO top_VVI companies_NN2 in_II Japan_NP1 ,_, Curtis_NP1 found_VVD executives_NN2 talking_VVG less_RRR about_II naiju_NN1 (_( domestic_JJ demand_NN1 )_) than_CSN about_II jun-naiju_NN1 (_( pseudo-domestic_JJ demand_NN1 )_) ,_, a_AT1 new_JJ phrase_NN1 that_CST means_NN demand_VV0 in_II the_AT home_NN1 region_NN1 of_IO Asia_NP1 ._. 
"_" The_AT idea_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO integrate_VVI Japan_NP1 into_II the_AT heart_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 new_JJ and_CC growing_JJ Asian_JJ 'domestic'_JJ market_NN1 ,_, not_XX only_RR by_II selling_VVG to_II middle-class_JJ Chinese_JJ and_CC Southeast_ND1 Asians_NN2 ,_, but_CCB also_RR by_II increasing_VVG Japanese_JJ investment_NN1 in_II Asian_JJ companies_NN2 ;_; further_RRR liberalizing_VVG import_NN1 and_CC export_VV0 markets_NN2 ,_, particularly_RR in_II very_RG closed_JJ areas_NN2 like_II agriculture_NN1 ;_; and_CC working_VVG more_RGR closely_RR with_IW China_NP1 and_CC other_JJ less-developed_JJR countries_NN2 in_II areas_NN2 like_II the_AT environment_NN1 ,_, technology_NN1 ,_, and_CC energy_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Curtis_NP1 ._. 
In_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ,_, trade_NN1 flows_VVZ to_II China_NP1 in_RR21 particular_RR22 have_VH0 increased_VVN rapidly_RR ;_; in_II 2000_MC exports_NN2 to_II the_AT U.S._NP1 from_II Japan_NP1 were_VBDR about_RG five_MC times_II those_DD2 to_II China_NP1 ;_; now_RT the_AT figures_NN2 are_VBR nearly_RR equal_JJ (_( though_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ important_JJ to_TO note_VVI that_CST most_DAT of_IO what_DDQ goes_VVZ to_II China_NP1 are_VBR high-tech_JJ components_NN2 for_IF assembly_NN1 versus_II finished_JJ goods_NN2 )_) ._. 
Flows_NN2 could_VM be_VBI further_RRR increased_VVN if_CS Japan_NP1 would_VM dismantle_VVI trade_NN1 barriers_NN2 and_CC encourage_VVI more_DAR export_NN1 of_IO ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, expensive_JJ luxury_JJ agricultural_JJ products_NN2 like_II its_APPGE very_RG high-quality_JJ rice_NN1 to_II Asia_NP1 's_GE nouveau_NN121 riche_NN122 ,_, while_CS allowing_VVG penny-pinching_JJ Mrs._NNB Watanabes_NP1 at_II home_NN1 to_TO buy_VVI more_RGR cheap_JJ ,_, mass-produced_JJ foods_NN2 from_II China_NP1 ._. 
Ultimately_RR ,_, trade_NN1 in_II finished_JJ goods_NN2 will_VM rise_VVI ,_, too_RR ._. 
Manufacturers_NN2 are_VBR starting_VVG to_TO focus_VVI more_DAR research_NN1 and_CC marketing_NN1 dollars_NNU2 on_II Asian_JJ consumers_NN2 rather_II21 than_II22 Western_JJ ones_NN2 in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO boost_VVI regional_JJ exports_NN2 of_IO Japan_NP1 's_GE upscale_NN1 cars_NN2 and_CC consumer_NN1 goods_NN2 ._. 
The_AT DPJ_NP1 platform_NN1 calls_VVZ for_IF an_AT1 increase_NN1 in_II aid_NN1 to_TO develop_VVI Asia_NP1 as_II a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO helping_NN1 bolster_VVI those_DD2 middle-class_JJ consumers_NN2 ._. 
In_II other_JJ ways_NN2 ,_, Japan_NP1 is_VBZ still_RR strikingly_RR Western-oriented_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ typically_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT top_NN1 four_MC investors_NN2 in_II China_NP1 ,_, yet_RR it_PPH1 still_RR sends_VVZ nearly_RR three_MC times_NNT2 more_RRR of_IO its_APPGE direct_JJ investment_NN1 in_II factories_NN2 and_CC companies_NN2 to_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
Closer_JJR ties_NN2 to_II China_NP1 require_VV0 some_DD semblance_NN1 of_IO trust_NN1 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR positive_JJ signs_NN2 ._. 
DJP_NP1 leaders_NN2 have_VH0 said_VVN they_PPHS2 would_VM not_XX continue_VVI visits_NN2 to_II the_AT Yasukuni_JJ Shrine_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 bone_NN1 of_IO contention_NN1 because_CS Japanese_JJ war_NN1 criminals_NN2 are_VBR buried_VVN there_RL alongside_II regular_JJ World_NN1 War_NN1 II_MC soldiers_NN2 ._. 
And_CC the_AT two_MC countries_NN2 recently_RR struck_VVN a_AT1 deal_NN1 to_TO strengthen_VVI Asian_JJ currency_NN1 reserves_NN2 --_NN1 putting_VVG equal_JJ amounts_NN2 of_IO yen_NN and_CC yuan_NNU into_II the_AT reserve_JJ pot_NN1 ,_, underscoring_VVG a_AT1 joint_JJ commitment_NN1 in_II Asia_NP1 ._. 
Peter_NP1 Petri_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 senior_JJ fellow_NN1 at_II the_AT East-West_JJ Center_NN1 in_II Honolulu_NP1 ,_, calls_VVZ this_DD1 deal_NN1 "_" a_AT1 very_RG important_JJ event_NN1 "_" that_CST says_VVZ "_" we_PPIS2 're_VBR in_II this_DD1 together_RL ,_, and_CC even_CS21 though_CS22 the_AT future_NN1 is_VBZ that_CST China_NP1 will_VM be_VBI the_AT dominant_JJ economy_NN1 ,_, Japan_NP1 has_VHZ a_RR21 lot_RR22 to_TO contribute_VVI ,_, too_RR ._. "_" 
For_IF Japan_NP1 ,_, Asian_JJ development_NN1 must_VM mean_VVI more_DAR than_CSN tighter_JJR economic_JJ relations_NN2 with_IW the_AT Middle_JJ Kingdom_NN1 ._. 
Japanese_JJ officials_NN2 and_CC companies_NN2 are_VBR looking_VVG to_TO strengthen_VVI ties_NN2 with_IW Australia_NP1 ,_, India_NP1 ,_, and_CC Southeast_ND1 Asia_NP1 ._. 
The_AT only_JJ high-profile_JJ Japanese_JJ corporate_JJ acquisition_NN1 in_II Asia_NP1 recently_RR was_VBDZ Daiichi_JJ Sankyo_NN1 's_GE purchase_NN1 of_IO the_AT Indian_JJ drugmaker_NN1 Ranbaxy_NN1 ,_, and_CC India_NP1 has_VHZ replaced_VVN China_NP1 as_II the_AT No._NN1 1_MC1 destination_NN1 for_IF Japanese_JJ aid_NN1 money_NN1 ._. 
Japanese_JJ aid_NN1 to_II ASEAN_JJ countries_NN2 is_VBZ growing_JJ ,_, too_RR ._. 
"_" The_AT Japanese_NN1 are_VBR increasingly_RR going_VVGK to_TO invest_VVI in_II India_NP1 ,_, Vietnam_NP1 ,_, and_CC Indonesia_NP1 to_TO balance_VVI the_AT growth_NN1 of_IO China_NP1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Michael_NP1 Green_NP1 ,_, the_AT Japan_NP1 chair_NN1 at_II the_AT Center_NN1 for_IF Strategic_JJ and_CC International_JJ Studies_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 also_RR notes_VVZ that_CST the_AT Japanese_NN1 lobbied_VVD hard_RR to_TO include_VVI India_NP1 ,_, Australia_NP1 ,_, and_CC New_NP1 Zealand_NP1 in_II the_AT East_NP1 Asian_JJ summit_NN1 ,_, first_MD held_VVN in_II 2005_MC ,_, in_II order_NN1 to_TO "_" buffer_VVI Chinese_JJ influence_NN1 ._. "_" 
Tokyo_NP1 's_GE new_JJ focus_NN1 on_II Asia_NP1 could_VM ,_, conceivably_RR ,_, restore_VVI its_APPGE image_NN1 as_II a_AT1 power_NN1 in_II the_AT world_NN1 ._. 
To_TO become_VVI "_" the_AT center_NN1 of_IO the_AT center_NN1 of_IO global_JJ growth_NN1 ,_, "_" as_CSA Curtis_NP1 puts_VVZ it_PPH1 ,_, would_VM make_VVI Japan_NP1 more_RGR central_JJ to_II global_JJ diplomacy_NN1 and_CC politics_NN1 as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
Closer_JJR ties_NN2 to_II China_NP1 could_VM set_VVI up_RP Japan_NP1 as_CSA more_DAR of_IO a_AT1 buffer_NN1 between_II the_AT U.S._NP1 and_CC China_NP1 ,_, and_CC less_DAR of_IO a_AT1 protectorate_NN1 of_IO the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 could_VM make_VVI Japan_NP1 more_RRR of_IO a_AT1 major_JJ player_NN1 in_II multilateral_JJ diplomacy_NN1 ,_, and_CC less_DAR of_IO a_AT1 junior_JJ partner_NN1 in_II a_AT1 special_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY can_VM see_VVI Japan_NP1 making_VVG a_AT1 broader_JJR strategic_JJ outreach_NN1 with_IW new_JJ bilateral_JJ security_NN1 agreements_NN2 reached_VVN with_IW Australia_NP1 and_CC India_NP1 ,_, "_" and_CC in_II the_AT June_NP1 meeting_NN1 of_IO defense_NN1 ministers_NN2 from_II the_AT U.S._NP1 ,_, Japan_NP1 ,_, and_CC South_ND1 Korea_NP1 ,_, notes_VVZ Green_JJ ._. 
But_CCB Japan_NP1 has_VHZ always_RR been_VBN a_AT1 one-dimensional_JJ economic_JJ power_NN1 and_CC ,_, to_TO regain_VVI global_JJ clout_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 needs_VVZ a_AT1 return_NN1 to_II real_JJ world-leading_JJ growth_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ not_XX what_DDQ Japan_NP1 's_GE next_MD governors_NN2 --_JJ whether_CSW from_II the_AT LDP_NP1 or_CC the_AT DPJ_NP1 --_NN1 are_VBR talking_VVG about_II ._. 
They_PPHS2 dream_VV0 of_IO middle-power_JJ models_NN2 ,_, at_RR21 most_RR22 ._. 
