OSAKA -- Becoming a permanent member of an expanded United Nations Security Council could force Japan to become a more responsible international player.
And in light of Japan's record of strong support for the U.N., especially financial, the country would probably be a responsible member.
Or, becoming a permanent member could simply mean a de facto vote on the Security Council for the United States, and lead to less international pressure on Tokyo to abide by various U.N. agreements on domestic human rights. And given Japan's perceived failure to atone for it's past history, the country may not be a responsible Security Council member.