Japanese Foreign and Security Policy

Japan's role as a major power in the Asia-Pacific and the world generally makes understanding the context, drivers and nature of its foreign and security policies an imperative. This course examines how Japan has approached international affairs, from the 19th century until the present. It covers both the domestic and international dimensions of Japanese policymaking, focusing on how different political forces have shaped the evolution of the country's foreign and security policy practices. Key areas of study include: the historical emergence of Japanese strategic thinking; the establishment of the so-called Yoshida Doctrine and the country's alliance with the US during the Cold War; its relationship with other nations in Asia; and the security reforms enacted at different stages over the post–Cold War period.