China, India and Japan

Much has been said about the rise of Asia, with many suggesting that the continent would be pitted against existing powers in other continents.
But writer Bill Emmott noted in his book that the rise "is not just, or even mainly, going to pit Asia against (the) West, shifting power from the latter to the former."

Rather, "it is going to pit Asians against Asians" as it is the first time in history when there have been three powerful countries in Asia all at the same time - China, India (pictured) and Japan. (Bill Emmott, Rivals – How the Power Struggles Between China, India and Japan Will Shape Our Next Decade, Penguin Books, 2008, 2009)

"In other words, Asia is becoming an arena of balance-of-power politics, with no clear leader, rather as Europe was during the 19th century. China may emerge as the most powerful of the three, but like Britain in the 19th century it is unlikely to be capable of dominating its continent."

"A new power game is under way, in which all must seek to be as friendly as possible to all, for fear of the consequences if they are not, but in which the friendship is only skin-deep. All are maneuvering to strengthen their own positions and maximize their own long-term advantages."