GLBS3404 Notes

The Japanese state and its people have certainly experimented with, undertaken and
reprised a number of different international roles during various phases of Japans history
with a consistent and calculating strategy in pursuit of its perceived interests, as like other
nations

Major FP changes re:

-politics
-economics
-security/military
-aid
-what has been and is Japans pattern of behaviour and role in the international system
-why Japan opts to behave in the way that it does
-IR and IPE theory employed to demonstrate that Japans international relations
have been determined by the interaction of changes in the structure of the international
system, and the response of domestic policy-making agents informed by a range of
domestic and international norms
-how in terms of means and methods and effectiveness of Japans pursuit of international
role
-pursuit and instrumentalisation of its international relations
-response to international events and changes in the structure of the international
system
-forms of power and mode of instrumentalisation of Japanese policy-making agents
employed in the pursuit of perceived interests of the Japanese state

Japans pattern of behaviour, exact role and agenda, and policies and strategies in the
international system remain puzzling to many when compared to the other major
industrialised powers: (Hook et al 2012: 23)

mode of interaction and section of policy tools on the international system, especially its
predilection for economic power over military forms of power (Hook et al 2012: 23)

-Japan as reactive and abnormal

1. Chinese World Order

-Japan bound into a Sino-centric order where the world order was bound loosely together
by shared norms of Buddhism and Confucianism where the region was characterised by a
measure of economic political and security interdependence (Hook et al 25)
-Japan drawn to the economic, political and security benefits e.g. brought them
access to superior administrative and weaponry skills necessary to unify the homeland
-sought to usurp the middle kingdoms political and military position or isolate themselves
from them
-tried to make their bid for regional hegemony
-invasion of Korea
-failed expeditions and discover of Japan by Europeans sakoku or isolation period
2. Imperial World Order
Because developing nations no longer have to be associated with either one of the powers in
the bipolar system, they now have more flexible options but this has also led to conflicts within
other states and Japan has involved itself more in the United Nations namely in peace-keeping
processes. The national government can be seen to respond to this increase in international role
in their bid for aa permanent seat on the United Nations Security council. Once a former
dependent for security, Japan is now arguably able to serve and act on behalf of themselves
either or not deemed capable of protecting itself or in need of military assistance. Japan has
also had a major role in providing financial aid and its role in this regard has manifested in the
membership and decisive roles in the likes of the United Nations, the World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund. However, its foreign aid is not only contingent on
intergovernmental organisations as it also has aid programs of its own.