Developments in Asia

Event Details

Michael Armacost, the American ambassador to Japan, discusses recent developments in Asia. He begins by stressing the importance of Asia and world affairs due to its size and growing power. He identifies three factors which make Asia an area of particular importance: the nuclear capabilities of several countries within Asia, the rapid economic growth, the development of democratic trends in many Asian countries, and the formulation of APEC. Additionally, Armacost notes that several destabilizing factors in Asia make it an area of particular importance. He cites North Korea?s nuclear aspirations as well as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan?s nuclear potentials as a major concern as are the Russo-Japanese conflict over the Kurile Islands. He concludes that America must maintain a strong role in Asia, maintain close economic ties, and be careful in perusing a self-promoting policy which may alienate Asian powers. Following the lecture Armacost answers questions concerning human rights in China, India?s importance in Asian politics, Asian investment, the Kurile Islands, the Hong-Kong transition, Japanese, American trade, the trade deficit, the merchant marine, and democracy in Japan.