CATEGORY

The current economic and political balance of power in Asia is shifting away from Japan, which once dominated Asia through sheer financial muscle, to China, which is beginning to fill the vacuum left by the gradual U.S. withdrawal from the region. Now journalist, author, and Asian-economic expert Declan Hayes thoroughly examines how this shift is taking place and what effects it will have both in Asia and the West.

Japan, The Toothless Tiger, addresses not only the historic role the U.S. has played in maintaining peace in Asia, but also explores the threat China poses to its neighbors' economic and political sovereignty. In his fast-paced, literary style Hayes explains the urgent need for Japan to re-balance the scales by developing nuclear arms, armaments, and missile defense systems capable of protecting its own national interests as well as the balance of power in Asia. Is protection possible without triggering a massive arms race with China? Japan, The Toothless Tiger is a must read for anyone interested in the changing face of the Asian political economy and the effects that this drastic shift will likely have on the West.