As everyone no doubt knows by now, good old North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is pushing up daisies.  While most of the world may be celebrating the passing of the Dear Leader, the countries of the East, Japan included, are tense with anticipation of what could possibly happen next.

North Korea and Japan have a history of unfriendly relations, even to the point of the DPRK launching a rocket across Japanese airspace in a demonstrative show of force.  North Korea’s nuclear capability further complicates this matter, a worry that is completely understandable to the only country that has ever had to face the terror of a nuclear strike. 

While the reins of power in North Korea are supposed to be handed to Kim Jong-il’s youngest son, Kim Jong-un, there is concern that the hard-line military men may use the opportunity of the Dear Leader’s death to take control, either directly or by simply manipulating Kim Jong-un as a puppet.  If the country falls into the hands of the military, the chances for violence extending from the peninsula to Japan increase.

Japan has always traditionally backed the Western view of relations with North Korea, imposing trade sanctions and demanding denuclearization from its leader.  With the shift in power and the threat of violence, this may have to change.  Neighboring China has always taken the route of compromise with North Korea, trying to work with them to create an internal transition as opposed to direct confrontation.  If Japan hopes to defuse the potentially volatile situation peacefully, they may have to get on that boat and start supporting China in their efforts, which would mean at least a partial split from their allies in the West.

It’s hard to see what will come of the future, as Japan and China have their own share of bad blood to work out and siding with their former enemies may not be a solution that Japanese politicians wish to even consider, regardless of the risk.  The Japan-China summit is coming up soon and North Korea will no doubt be at the top of their list of problems to discuss, though what solutions they come up with remain to be seen.