In the last month, a series of confrontations have occurred between Japan and South Korea that are threatening Japan’s power and interests in East Asia. These events include Japan’s expressed interest in attaining sovereignty over a series of disputed islets, its whitewashing of the historical record involving its militant past, and visits made by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japan’s war dead, including convicted Class-A war criminals. Japan’s increase in its military projection capabilities also has contributed to South Korea’s sense of concern. Full Story