The Second World War was one of the most memorable life changing events in history. The war had a major impact on the world in various fronts ranging from politics, culture to economics. The effects of the war continue to affect various regions that actively took part in it. Of great focus is East Asia as much of its nations either directly or indirectly participated in the conflict. Nations such as Japan, China and Korea were some of the East Asia nations that were notably involved in the war. The three had divergent interests and stakes in the way which evolved from a multinational conflict to a two-sided conflict between the Allies and Axis forces. These pacts charted different paths in geopolitics, social-culture and economics for these East Asian nations to date. This suffices as enough proof that World War II still continues to impact on the East Asia region.
Diplomatic ties in the East Asian region after the Second World War were greatly shifted. To date, a number of the East Asian nations maintain fragile links that are vulnerable to war and any form of conflict. In 2012, the two East Asian powers, Japan and China developed cold diplomatic ties. This was precipitated by the latter’s intention to control the East China Sea that is home to contested islets (Perlez). The two nations claim ownership to the said contested islands. The conflict was further heightened after the Japanese government purchased some of the islands from a private Japanese owner. These sparked protests in China with the public chanting anti-Japanese slogans. The conflict also culminated to the Chinese using drones over the disputed islands with Japan threatening to put down the aircrafts. The threats saw the Chinese raising alarm that such a course of action would amount to an act of war (Perlez). In this case, it is prudent to point that much of these differences can be traced to the Second World War conflict that saw the two powers fighting from different fronts. The Japanese forceful occupation of the Chinese territory during the war has always lingered in the interactions between the states and also acts as one of the precursors of any conflict or strained relations witnessed in recent years.
Border disputes in the East Asian region have continuously simmered. The disputes can be traced to the Second World War. Territorial expansion, as well as ideological differences, are some of the reasons that are said to cause the boundary feuds. Of particular interest is the North Korea and South Korea border feud which was caused by the parallel governments that surfaced after the Second World War. Each of these systems (North and South) claimed to be the legitimate government of Korea. North Korea and South Korea were occupied by the Soviet Union and the United States respectively in 1953 (Griess, Buell and Bradley 103). The two powers agreed on the parallel division of Korea which to date has been a source of conflict between the present day North and South Korea. The creation of Korean Demilitarized Zone as a solution to the boundary disputes has not eased the tension between the two states. Incursions and infiltration tunnels have characterized the conflict with each side denying knowledge of them. This has led to the enhanced mutual hatred between the two states that borrow heavily in terms of ideology from their sponsor states (United States and Soviet Union).
In conclusion, it is safe to say that the Second World War will continue to be a key determinant of the various aspects of the East Asian region. As noted, the war is yet to be delinked from the state of economic trade among various players within and out of the East Asia area. Much of the trade is founded on the differing economic structures in place in different East Asia nations. Diplomatic ties have also borne the brunt of the attitudes adopted in the post-Second World War East Asia. The ties, in some instances, have threatened to spiral into full-blown chaos. Border disputes such as those that continue to affect North and South Korea are traced to the Second World War and its prime actors, United States and the Soviet Union. Despite these notable factors, the effects of the world war effects will eventually subside due to the emerging global issues as well as geopolitical and other strategic interests. There will be need to foster and renew ties that will be of mutual benefit for the East Asian Region. In the age of trade blocs, international terrorism and unified counter-disaster measures, many nations will have to let go the traditional feuds as well as ideological differences.
Works Cited
Ebrey, Patricia B, and Anne Walthall. East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Boston: Wadsworth, 2014. Print.
Griess, Thomas E, Thomas B. Buell, and John H. Bradley. The Second World War. Garden City Park: Square One Publishers, 2002. Print.
Perlez, Jane. "China Alters Its Strategy in Diplomatic Crisis With Japan." The NewYork Times [New York] 30 Sept. 2012: A12. Print.
