Japan’s foreign policy: from imperial power to regional leader?

Main Article Content

Juan Sebastián Gómez

Keywords

Japan, Imperialism, Foreign policy, Asia, History, Development

Abstract





The present essay seeks to explore Japanese foreign policy and its trans- formations throughout time. Particular emphasis is placed on two historical moments: the emergence of Japan as an imperial power, beginning with the Meiji Restoration, and contemporary Japan. The choice of these two instances is an attempt to define an arc of development in Japanese history, in order to understand Japan’s role in Asia and how it has both determined and been determined by international dynamics. By presenting information in chrono- logical order, the essay tries to establish a connection between past and pres- ent, and asks whether a “Japanese style of influence” can be deduced from both periods. The essay finds that Japan’s place in the region has changed from a more assertive and leading one, albeit more violent, to one character- ized by the indirect balancing of power. While dealing with radically different contexts, the essay finds that Japan’s influence strategies, whether historical or contemporary, have had similar intended effects in terms of the develop- ment of other countries. In this sense, by showing a broad and brief picture of Japan’s past and present that is traversed by a single theme, the essay con- tributes to the understanding of Japan’s current position, its historical roots, and the common factors that might continue in the future.





Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract 656 | PDF (Español) Downloads 422

References

Beasley, W. (1987). Japanese Imperialism: 1894-1945. New York: Clarendon Paperbacks.

Buzan, B., & Koyama, H. (2018, 05 25). Rethinking Japan in mainstream international relations. International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, 19(2), 185-212.

Caiger, J. G., & Mason, R. H. (1992). A History of Japan. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc.

Duque, C., Eusse, M., Hoyos, L. E., & Roldán, A. (2008). LA INSERCIÓN DE LA REPÚBLICA POPULAR CHINA EN EL NORESTE ASIÁTICO DESDE LOS AÑOS 1970: ¿ HACIA UN NUEVO REGIONALISMO? Centro de Investigación Económicas y Financieras, pp. 19-26.

Hughes, C. W. (2017). Japan’s rise and fall (and rise again) in The Pacific Review. The Pacific Review, 30(6), 885-894.

Kasahara, S. (2013). THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENTAL STATE AND THE FLYING GEESE PARADIGM. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (pp. 8-12). Geneva: United Nations.

Kingston, J. (2011). Contemporary Japan: History, Politics and Social Change since the 1980s. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Wallace, C. (2018). Leaving (north-east) Asia? Japan’s southern strategy. International Affairs, 94(4), 883-904.