なぜ韓国人は、嫌われるのか？

It is not just that Japan is not what it used to be。 Some analysts say even its decline matters far less than it might once have, because it failed, when times were still good, to convert some of the immense wealth it had accumulated into more lasting power and influence。

"Looked at objectively, Japan is a rather insignificant power in terms of its contributions to the rest of theworld," said Ronald A。 Morse, a professor of Japanese studies at the University of California at Los Angeles who is also an executive with a telecommunicationsfirm here。 "If the country keeps receding, or even disappeared, there is hardly anything that would have a major negative impactabroad。 The reason this sounds shocking is because everybody still remembers the Godzilla image of a Japan not so long ago that wasgoing to swallow up America。"

For other observers, however, Japan's long slide has huge implications for the future of Asia and beyond。 Japan is a model for few in Asia these days, and with the country's diplomacy in disarray, those who take their cues fromTokyo are a fast dwindling number, leaving a vacuum that may be filled by less closely allied friends of the United States, or by outright rivals。

Indeed, from Central Asia to the Korean peninsula, many analysts believe the coming decades are shaping up to bea competition for diplomatic and economic sway between Russia and China。 And if Moscow and Washington draw closer, that would only accelerate Japan's declining influence in Asia, and make Japan less able to serve as a counterweight to China。

I F the Japanese really lost hope, they might start thinking more about acquiescing in Chinese power," said Robyn Lim, an expert in international relations at Nanzan University in Nagoya, "so Japan's return to somesemblance of economic health is a vital interest of the U。S。 for both security and economic reasons。

"How to influence Japanese policy is the big problem, since the leadership is now completely paralyzed。"

Japan's stalemate is especially striking when compared to the energetic diplomacy of Russia, another diminished Asian power, and one with virtually no economic hand to play。 Still, by virtue of its nuclear prowess and proximity to central Asia, the Caucasus and eastern Europe, Russia has gone in the blink of an eye from nuclear enemy of the United States to strategic partner, even contemplating cooperationon missile shield development。 Over that same stretch, Japan, which was disarmed by the United States in 1945 and remains pacifist, has never overcome itsambivalence about American missile shields, despite its longstanding alliance with Washington。

The rise of China presents Japan with its greatest challenge since the Second World War, but has left Tokyo seemingboth intimidated and confused, shifting nervously between appeasement with generous development assistance, and provocations。 These include visits by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to a controversial shrine, Japan's imperial army veterans andtrade spats。