New Directions in Japan's Security: Non-U.S. Centric Evolution

Japan has been building security ties with other partners, reducing the centrality of the US in its security. This book explains why this is happening, tracing and explaining the diversification of Japan's security ties. It is an essential resource for scholars and those interested in understanding why Japan is developing non-American directions in its security strategy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since the end of the Cold War, the US-Japan alliance has experienced a significant strengthening, but Japan has quietly been building security ties with other partners, reducing the centrality of the US in its security. This book explores why this shift is occurring.

During the Cold War, Japan pursued a policy of security isolationism, primarily relying on the US as its sole security partner. Japan hosted US bases, participated in joint military exercises, and even made an exception to its weapons export ban to supply the US. However, since the end of the Cold War, Japan's security landscape has undergone a quiet transformation. Tokyo has begun diversifying its security ties, engaging in security dialogues with its Asian neighbors, assuming a leadership role in promoting regional multilateral security cooperation, and establishing bilateral security ties with a diverse range of partners, including Australia, India, and the European Union.

One notable aspect of this diversification is Japan's decision to lift its ban on weapons exports and co-development with non-US partners. This move reflects Japan's recognition of the changing geopolitical landscape and its desire to expand its economic and security interests beyond its traditional alliances.

The book "New Directions in Japan's Security" provides a comprehensive analysis of this trend of decreasing US centrality alongside the continued and perhaps even growing security interdependence with the US. It explores the various factors driving Japan's security diversification, including the country's changing regional dynamics, the rise of China, and the need to address regional security challenges such as terrorism and North Korean aggression.

The book is an essential resource for scholars and researchers interested in Japan's national security. It offers a detailed account of Japan's security policy shifts and provides insights into the country's strategic thinking and decision-making processes. It will also interest a wider audience, including policymakers and those interested in understanding the evolving dynamics of international relations and security.

In conclusion, Japan's security diversification is a significant development that reflects the changing geopolitical landscape and the country's desire to expand its economic and security interests. This book provides valuable insights into this trend and its implications for Japan's national security and the broader regional dynamics.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367543990