Quake will make Japan more insular

Quake will make Japan more insular


Earthquake-ravaged Japan will become more insular as the massive reconstruction effort

begins, an Australian expert says.

"Japan is pretty insular anyway, probably the most insular of all Asian countries," Professor

Andrew O'Neil, director of the Griffith Asia Institute at Griffith University, told AAP on Monday.

"The superhuman reconstruction efforts required on the road to recovery will have the effect of

turning most Japanese further inwards."

This could open up opportunities for China, he said.

"Japan is going to retreat from some of the more active diplomatic efforts it has had in recent

times ... if you accept the premise that China is intent on increasing its influence and power in

the region ... then I think this does present a real opportunity for them."

Until now Japan had played a critical role in balancing China's influence in Asia but the

earthquake and tsunami disaster posed "significant threats" to that role, Prof O'Neil said.

He also has concerns for Japan's economy, especially if the nuclear crisis worsens.

"The Japanese economy itself could be facing meltdown," he said.

"Any serious disruption to the nuclear industry will impact Japan's ability to fully recover."

This could also have serious implications for Australia as Japan is Australia's third biggest

export market.

"(Australia) still relies on the Japanese market for the export of a large portion of its

resources base," Prof O'Neil said.
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