As global tensions escalate, the value of peace is being felt acutely. It is time to reflect on the role Japan must play in realizing it.

There is no doubt that the world is now in its most precarious state since the end of the Cold War. In Europe, Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues unabated. In the Middle East, hostilities between Israel and opposing forces show no signs of ceasing.

Asia, too, is fraught with unease. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, now poised to return to office, is preparing to launch a trade war against China. He has also declared his intention to rebuild the most powerful military in the world. Tensions between the two nations are likely to escalate.

Diplomacy among major powers has reached a deadlock, and the United Nations is increasingly paralyzed.

Guiding a chaotic world toward stability is no easy task. Yet without such efforts, crises cannot be overcome. Japan, a pacifist nation, cannot afford to stand idly by.

A commitment to reconciliation

Following its defeat in World War II, Japan emerged from Allied occupation in 1952 with the enactment of the San Francisco Peace Treaty. At the same time, it entered into a security alliance with the United States, becoming a member of the liberal democratic bloc. In 1956, Japan joined the United Nations, marking its return to the international community.

Japan laid out its diplomatic principles the following year. In its first Diplomatic Bluebook -- an annual Foreign Ministry report on its policy and activities -- the country articulated three key pillars: a U.N.-centered approach, cooperation with the U.S. and Europe, and maintaining its stance as an Asian nation. These principles charted Japan's course during the Cold War.

A critical challenge was reconciliation with Asian countries devastated during the war. While shouldering postwar reparations, Japan pursued good-neighbor diplomacy, normalizing relations with South Korea in 1965 and with China in 1972, mending ties.

In 1977, then-Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda announced the Fukuda Doctrine, which became the cornerstone of Japan's Southeast Asia diplomacy. He declared that Japan would not again become a military power.

Gradually, Japan regained trust. Its rapidly growing economy became a model for the region. The core of Japan's diplomacy lay in what can be described as "the power of peace."

However, as Japan approaches the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the circumstances surrounding the nation have changed dramatically.

As Asia's economies have risen, Japan's relative presence has diminished. China has emerged as a dominant power, deepening its ties with Southeast Asian nations.

The return of Trump to the U.S. presidency introduces yet another destabilizing factor. Trump champions an "America First" agenda and advocates for "peace through strength" backed by military might. His principal adversary is China.

Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on all imports and over 60% on Chinese goods, a policy that runs counter to the principles of free trade. Such measures would shrink global trade and deal a severe blow to the international economy. Japan, whose largest trading partner is China, would not be spared from the fallout.

With U.S.-China tensions expected to intensify this year, the world's attention will inevitably turn to Asia. How should Japan navigate this difficult situation?

While Japan's stance of confronting China through the U.S.-Japan alliance remains unchanged, relying solely on Washington amid great power rivalries risks deepening regional fractures. Japan must play a role in tempering the unilateral actions of the United States.

Japan's role in easing U.S.-China tensions

Japan has already experienced risks associated with Trump's policies. During his first term, high tariffs on steel and other goods targeted not only adversaries but also allies like Japan. If similar policies are repeated during a second Trump term, the foundations of the free-market economy will be undermined, to the detriment of the U.S. as well. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba must persuade Trump to reconsider.

For Southeast Asian nations, being forced to choose between the U.S. and China is the least desirable outcome. Calls for Japan to act as a bridge are growing louder, and these demands must be taken seriously.

Multilateral dialogue remains a vital tool for regional stability. Japan has a history of leading the creation of frameworks that address both economic and security concerns in the region. It laid the groundwork for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which includes the U.S., China and Russia, and played a key role in forming the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which includes North Korea. Japan furthermore established a mechanism for regular trilateral summits with China and South Korea and participated in the 18-member East Asia Summit, which excludes the U.S. but brings together regional leaders.

Even within the U.S.-Japan alliance, national interests do not always align. Japan's emphasis on regionalism underscores its heavy responsibility in Asia, a role that remains unchanged.

As nations around the world race to expand their military capabilities, "peace through strength" inevitably carries the risk of armed conflict. At the same time, relying solely on "the power of peace" has its limitations. The key lies in striking a balance between the two.

Over the next four years, allowing Trump to act unchecked will result in irreparable damage to the global order. To prevent this, Japan must leverage its diplomatic influence to the fullest.