Table of ContentsI. IntroductionII. General Concerns Regarding the Military Build-Up Pages 5III. Issues Relating to North Korea Pages 6-8IX. Moving towards a solution Pages 25-29X. Works Cited and Consulted Pages 30-32Why North Korea has been a focus of concern for American PunditsChina and the Debate Over TaiwanThe Japan FactorHistorical Factors: Japan as a colonial powerJapanese Colonialism in PracticeJapan: How Historical Factors Shape the Current Military Build-up in AsiaHow Colonial History in Asia Has Shaped the Military Build-upEDGE 297A Marco Dkane, SUID# 5092335 A History of War and Peace:An Examination of the Military Build-Up in AsiaKorean troops stationed at the demilitarized zone along the 38th parallelWar and Peace: EDGE 297A: Ethics of Development in a Global EconomyProf. LusignanFall 2004-2005Table of ContentsI. IntroductionII. General Concerns Regarding the Military Build-Up Pages 5III. Issues Relating to North Korea Pages 6-8IV. General Issues Relating to China Pages 8-9V. Evaluating Military Spending in China Pages 9-11VI. Evaluating Military Modernization Pages 11-12VII. Issues relating to Taiwan Pages 13-18VIII. Issues relating to Japan Pages 18-25IX. Moving towards a solution Pages 25-29X. Works Cited and Consulted Pages 30-322War and Peace: EDGE 297A: Ethics of Development in a Global EconomyProf. LusignanFall 2004-2005A History of War and Peace:An Examination of the Military Build-Up in AsiaThe Asian continent is the most heavily militarized region in the world today. According to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, a total of 12,350,000 troops were either garrisoned in Asia, or belonged to nations with a military presence in Asia. Eight of the ten largest armies in the world have a presence in Asia (ITSS). Moreover, Asia is home to some of largest military budgets in the world. For example, Russia ($44 bil), Japan ($40.4 bil) , China.($17.0 bil.) India ($15.6 bil.), South Korea (11.8 bil.), Taiwan ($8.2 bil.), and Singapore ($4.3 bil) were ranked among the top defense spenders in the world (Heritage, 34). Finally, many Asian nations spend a large portion of their gross domestic product on their military budgets. For example, North Korea reports military expenditures accounting for one fifth of its GDP. Likewise Vietnam, Singapore, Pakistan, and Cambodia round out the list of top five nations in terms of military spending as a share of GDP (Heritage, 34). Furthermore, military spending in some parts of Asia is continuing to grow. Chinese defense spending has reportedly grown by double digits for several years (Global Security). Additionally, several Asian countries have taken steps to revamp their military capabilities (GAO: General Accounting Office).3The military build-up in Asia has been a source of heated debate for several years throughout the world. This debate appears very different depending on the region of the world inwhich it is being waged. In East Asia, the debate looms large for smaller nations fearing what they view as expansionist ambitions among their larger neighbors such as China and Russia. In Southeast Asia, the debate is equally strong amidst newly industrializing nations (so called "NICS"). In South Asia, the debate has taken on a new sense of urgency with the nuclear armaments of Pakistan and India. Additionally, all nations in the region, great and large must contend with a formidable Japan (see section below for an outline of the factors regarding Japan's military capabilities). In the United States, the debate regarding the military build-up in Asia also looms large. Additionally, this debate has a polarizing effect, often splitting pundits into opposing groups. The following section examines some of the positions advocated for by some individuals in the United States concerned with Asia and the perceived military build-up evident in that region. Next this paper will examine the various historical factors that continue to affect the military build-up in Asia. In doing so, this paper focuses on four regions in which the Asian military-build up has been hotly contested: First, this paper focuses on North Korea, examining the causes of conflict on the Korean peninsula and evaluating how this conflict affects current regional and global tensions. Second, this paper examines debates relating to China’s military build-up, again current tensions are evaluated in light of historical events. Third, this paper investigates the tensions surrounding Taiwanese independence or unification with mainland China. In this analysis, the roles of several regional actors are evaluated. Fourth, this paper examines the Asian military build-up with regards to Japan, again historical factors are used to illuminate current tensions. This paper concludes by offering some guidelines for establishing 4peaceful resolutions to military tensions on the Asian continent.General Concerns with Asia's Military Build-UpThis section explores the view--among some-- that developments in Asia should be the source of concern for policy makers operating within the United States. On the one hand, some have argued that there is a large and disconcerting military buildup occurring on the Asian continent. These pundits would argue that this build-up is a threat to the interest of America, Americans, and American allies. These individuals would likelyargue that American policy should focus on preserving the interests of the United States in the face of opposing interests of many Asian actors. These actors would include China, North Korea, Russia, and even Japan (though the latter has been an American ally since the American occupation of 1945-1952). Those who would advocate that American policy should view Asian military power and advances with concern would point to China's efforts at modernizing its military: China has affected many projects to do so, including a move away from the more traditional "People's War" (Garver, 1993)strategies advocated for during Mao's tenure towards a scaled-down, more technologically-advanced military.Why North Korea has been a focus of concern for American PunditsThose who view China's attempts to modernize its military can also find cause for alarm 5when examining developments in the nation bordering china to the south, North Korea. In the minds of some pundits, North Korea has perennially appeared as a source of concern and a threatto national and international interests among