Abstract: The international structure has a profoundly restrictive impact on Japans foreign strategic choice since its becoming a “ nonnormal country” after the World War Ⅱ. On the other hand, Japan took advantage of the international structure and tried to use it for Japans national development strategy. In the bipolar structure of the Cold War, Japan quickly regained the status of a sovereign nation under the support of the United States and improved its international political status. Japan aimed to be a major political power after becoming a major economic power in the world. When the international structure shifted towards multipolarity, Japan regarded it as an opportunity to become a major political power. Japan participated in international affairs frequently, and took more responsibility. Japan also paid attention to the military transformation, and pushed forward to be a great power. With the deepening of the multipolarity and the rise of the emerging countries today, Japan feels the pressure and threat. Japan begins to accelerate the process of pursuing becoming a great power, especially in terms of military power. However, there are some obstacles for Japan in the pursuit of being a great power.

Key words: international structure, great power, Chinas rise