Foreign Policy Analysis of Japan
International acknowledgement of Japan’s influence has increased significantly since the end of World War II, and this trend is expected to continue. With or without the assistance of the Japanese government, international political and economic crises will continue to deteriorate. This isn’t a stretch at all.
As a result of its recovery from the devastation wrought by World War II, Japan’s GDP today accounts for approximately ten per cent of world GDP (GNP). In addition, his status as a prominent economic player has been temporarily halted. As a result of this shift, Japan’s influence on the global political climate is becoming more generally recognised and anticipated.
As the world has grown larger in recent years, political and economic challenges, particularly security issues, have become more intertwined and interdependent on one another. With global peace and prosperity at its back, Japan must adopt a comprehensive and coherent foreign policy approach that encompasses security, economy, economic cooperation, and cultural exchange. It must also expand its international obligations beyond the economic sector. Japan’s role has always been culturally focused, integrating with the political sphere, and making meaningful contributions in ways that are consistent with its national interests.
Read More: Foreign Policy Analysis of China
Assuming a More Positive Political Role
The Japanese government must take an active role in the international political arena if it is to live up to its international obligations. In order to build worldwide trust, Japan must pursue a good, autonomous foreign policy that is based on the country’s strengths and circumstances.
Japan must first establish its fundamental goal and reason for being before it can move forward. Japanese authorities regard Japan as an East Asian country, despite the fact that it is considered to be a part of the West in the contemporary international environment. He or she lives in the Asia-Pacific area. As a result of its operations in different countries and regions, Japan’s foreign policy standing will fluctuate. However, the country’s overall purpose is to maintain positive relations with all countries. Because it lacks an independent position, a country cannot be trusted by other countries and may become isolated from the rest of the world.
Japanese leaders must embrace worldwide responsibilities and implement consistent policies over time while keeping this fundamental point of view in mind first and foremost.
If Japan is to avoid misconceptions, it must be explicit about what it can and cannot do, as well as adhere strictly to the policies that it has declared. It is necessary for Japan to first create its own policies and ideas, and then to put them into practise with determination, before it can make a good contribution to world affairs.
It has stated both internally and externally that Japan, although being one of the world’s leading members of a free society, has a responsibility to develop its military capability. For Japan to sustain its strong defence spirit under the Constitution, it must first declare its fundamental objective of adhering to it. Simply put, Japan will never be a military force that poses a danger to other countries, and it will stick to a rigorous set of non-nuclear objectives.
As a global leader in economic responsibility, Japan should also be a role model for other countries. To maintain the openness of the domestic market and economic management, for example, measures must be taken in order for it to remain open.
Obtaining the trust of the international world in a variety of domains, such as politics and economics, is essential for Japan to be recognised as a significant player on the global stage.
Another aspect to consider is that Japan should always maintain a fair and unbiased evaluation of the international situation and, based on this assessment, form its own independent opinions.
Japan’s Basic Position
Foreign Policy “as a Western Member”
Japan’s democracy, like that of other industrialised nations, is based on the basic ideas of freedom and democracy. Japan and these countries are interested in protecting and expanding the market-based economic system. About foreign policy, Japan’s main goal is to maintain strong solidarity and co-operation with these Western democracies in the complex of international political and economic problems.
Japan’s foreign policy is based on good relations and cooperation with the United States, which is set out in the Japan-US Security Agreement, among other things. Among other things, the United States is a very important trading partner with Japan in various fields such as politics, economics, and defence. When it comes to the role and efforts of the United States in maintaining Japan’s security, Japan must ensure the effective and efficient operation of the Japan-US security system, which is the basis of the country’s national security policy.
Diplomacy Grounded in the Asia-Pacific Region
The Asia-Pacific region has recently displayed more life and activity than any other region in recent history. In terms of growth and development, it is brimming with great potential. The stability and prosperity of this region are, without a doubt, essential to the country’s peace and progress. Japan must contribute to the peace and development of Asia and the Pacific region by winning the hearts and minds of its neighbours and other regional countries, as well as gaining their trust, and by fostering cordial relations with them. This also serves as a means of safeguarding the peace and security of the country as well.
Japan and the Asia-Pacific region are enjoying their most amicable relations in recent history, according to official figures. Following Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone’s visit to the Republic of Korea immediately after entering office, the environment in which Japan’s relations with the country have greatly improved. It is necessary, however, to make extra efforts in order to build a multidimensional and publically supported collaboration between the two countries.
China and the United States have maintained a friendship and mutual trust, with the Prime Ministers of the two nations paying reciprocal trips in 1982 to mark the tenth anniversary of the normalisation of relations. China, which is now reforming itself through an open-door policy, places a high value on relations with Japan, which is a priority for the country. This is shown by the fact that, in a report to the party congress held in September 1982, General Secretary Hu Yaobang stated that relations with Japan were more important than relations with any other country in the world.
Diplomacy with a broad foundation and a variety of facets
As previously noted, Japan’s foreign policy is primarily focused on the Asia-Pacific area. In addition, Japan is considered a “Western member.” Meanwhile, whether Japan likes it or not, the country’s foreign policy must take a global view in all areas of politics, security, economy, and culture, regardless of the country’s national interests. The changing worldwide climate, as well as Japan’s expanding national power, make it unavoidable at this point. The subject of international peace is one that cuts across national borders.
Events in one region can have an instantaneous impact on the rest of the world, producing a situation in which Japan is unable to maintain a neutral position in the world. Japan’s efforts, on the other hand, have such a significant impact on the rest of the world that no country or area can afford to ignore them. In these circumstances, Japan must conduct a broad and multidimensional foreign policy, both bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as within the framework of the United Nations system. Japan can make a positive contribution to the stabilisation of the international environment in which it works if it does so.
In the case of the Iran-Iraq war and the Cambodian problem, for example, Japan may look into the potential of peacefully settling the conflicts through diplomatic means. Due to the fact that it maintains lines of communication or collaboration relations with Iran and Iraq, as well as with nations in Indochina and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, this country is well situated to do so.
Rational actor model
One institution (the Japanese government) operates with a smart character model, making decisions based on an in-depth assessment of both the costs and benefits of any proposed policy. The Japanese, widely regarded as extremely organized, risk-free, and considerate of formula, seem to reflect their reality in this way, at least on the surface. Although thinking is often the first thing that comes to mind when I speak to Japanese officials, my personal experience and dealings with them have shown me that this is not always the case.
Professionals in tertiary institutions who have the knowledge and skills to distinguish between good and evil may give more sensible ideas and suggestions than those who do not (needless to mention, even the most famous professor cannot have complete knowledge so there is always room for error). Japanese intellectuals, unlike their counterparts in the United States and many other European countries, have a unique connection to the system of governing the country.
When managers in the United States change, a large number of academics and professors move to the White House to work as consultants. It has been noted that the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, the largest public policy school in the United States, has experienced a dramatic shift in its intelligence during presidential elections.
Those who are experts or scholars are considered less important in Japan when making decisions, on the other hand. In order to hear the views of academics and experts on the proposed policy change, government departments and agencies will often hold (shiki kaigi: professional conference) series of meetings as a temporary forum. Invited professionals are often presented with pre-made ideas for a new policy by ministerial officials or members of the group, and are invited to consider professional ideas.
A large number of experts at the conference do not have a legitimate position in any government or political party, although they do have personal relationships with some of these people. Apart from the close links that exist between Japanese services and leading research institutes, these research institutes are often tasked with obtaining information prior to the development of a new policy. The US and European governments are using several researchers who have been appointed as “resident experts.” These researchers contribute daily to data collection, policy research, and paper production. A large percentage of government reports are given to think-tanks in Japan, with a limited number of research positions available.
Government politics model
The Government Politics Model is a third way of looking at policy-making that focuses on political dialogue rather than policy outcomes. As I have said, many international analysts believe that the return of the LDP heralds the beginning of a new era of stability and prosperity in Japan. However, such a proposal fails to take into account the internal variability (habatsu: group) of LDP. The LDP, unlike the Republican and Democratic Parties in the United States, is not bound together by shared ideas or policy objectives.
While Japan was discussing its participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks, strong opposition erupted within the country itself ”(especially for those members of the law’s special liaison with the Department of Agriculture and even the Minister of Agriculture. Professor Curtis described this as very different from Japan because it is not uncommon in many Western countries for a current government official or minister to criticize the views of the head of state or prime minister (otherwise he will be immediately removed from office).
Current Foreign Policy Issues and Japan’s Responses
As a matter of national priority, Japan must confront the following contemporary foreign policy challenges:
Deployments for peace and disarmament
In the current international climate, the stability of East-West relations is critical to world peace and stability. Prohibitions based on the balance of power help to maintain world peace and stability, but it is also important to make efforts to promote dialogue and dialogue between East and West, with particular emphasis on disarmament, in order to maintain world peace and local stability.
According to a political declaration issued in Williamsburg, conference nations must have sufficient military power to defend the freedoms and justice that are the basis of their democracies. However, they have also expressed their determination to reduce the world’s weapons stockpile through legal arms control agreements.
Negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union over the Middle Ages (INF), especially the Soviet SS-20 missiles, are crucial to the country’s security. In connection with this article, Japanese officials have expressed concern over the relevant countries, particularly the United States and the Soviet Union, on a regular basis. The summit countries have shown Western solidarity by making it clear that their security is inseparable and that it should be viewed internationally with the release of the Williamsburg political declaration. Japan hopes that if the Soviet Union is honest about the disarmament, it will faithfully respond to Japan’s request.
Although it maintains strong ties with the United States and other friendly countries, Japan must do so in a balanced and integrated manner. When it comes to disarmament efforts, efforts should be made to ensure that effective and efficient disarmament measures are gradually implemented in the United Nations, in the Disarmament Committee, and in other appropriate areas.
With regard to nuclear disarmament, Japan puts the issue at the forefront because it is the only country in the world to have been hit by a nuclear bomb. It is, therefore, important that the United States and the Soviet Union continue their negotiations on the arms embargo, that nuclear weapons continue to be banned and that the nuclear disarmament regime be maintained and strengthened.
Global economic growth is on the rise
According to the Williamsburg Summit, there is evidence of inflation and the resumption of trade in various countries. Interest rates in the United States, on the other hand, continue to be very high. High levels of unemployment have been found in the United States and other countries due to structural challenges. With an annual decline of 6 per cent in 1982 and no growth since 1980, global trade has been declining since 1980. Precautionary measures are still in effect because of this situation. Debt accumulation in Latin American countries is just one example of the problems that developing countries face.
In light of these developments, each country must make every effort to run its economy cost-effectively and sustainably that promotes growth, both internally and externally. Further efforts should be made to avoid increasing the protection and development of the international trade system under the General Tax Agreement if the free trade system is to be maintained and strengthened, as stated earlier (GATT). The international financial system needs to be stabilised by promoting international integration and deep links between major economies.
Countries expect Japan to play a significant role in the global economy as its share of global GDP (GNP) rises to about 10%. The result has been the emergence of Japanese trade partners, who are dissatisfied with the country’s economic policies. Foreign requests to Japan reflect a wide range of emotions, and Japan must respond in a timely and effective manner. Although these demands are often based on domestic issues, the economic challenges posed by these applications have a direct impact on domestic politics in many cases. As a result, Japan has a responsibility to address these challenges more broadly.
Cooperation for the Stability and Development of the Developing Countries
Peace and stability in the world depend on the advancing political, economic, and social development of developing nations. In a growing region, if this kind of progress is made, the chances of a collision and a disruption occurring will decrease.
Japan believes it has a responsibility to work with developing countries to ensure their stability and long-term progress in order to contribute to global prosperity. Because Japan recognizes that economic cooperation with developing countries is one of the most important efforts I can make to ensure its overall security, the country intends to continue to extend official development assistance (ODA) in line with the new medium term policy, however. The financial challenges facing the government.
Due to the financial crisis, there has been little progress in developing countries. International co-operation in the development of poor countries is needed, both from a cohesive and humane perspective. Thailand, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, as well as Sudan and Somalia, are among the countries bordering on war zones and are in dire need of assistance to maintain international stability and peace. Over time, these actions will lead to the elimination of domestic and international conflicts, as well as the restoration of regional peace and security.
In view of this, Japan should make a positive contribution to strengthening the United Nations peacekeeping operations in developing countries. In addition to financial assistance, it is important for Japan to consider other forms of cooperation, such as sending troops to peacekeeping operations and providing building materials and equipment.
Conclusion
According to the prime minister, global and regional security have entered a much more severe phase, and Japan must adopt new policies and develop new capabilities in order to combat these threats effectively. The ramifications for Japan’s political system are unclear if the country’s policy measures serve broader objectives and if these objectives are supported by the Japanese political system.
It remains to be seen whether or not the general population is aware of the long-term ramifications of these activities. Will they contribute to an improvement in the US-Japan alliance, or will they result in a more volatile and unpredictable relationship if they are implemented? Would Japan’s neighbours be willing to tolerate these changes? It is essential that questions of constitutional reinterpretation that have an impact on the well-being of Japan’s population are carefully and honestly examined, beginning with the Japanese people themselves.
