Japan's Asia Policy: Regional Security And Global Interests (politics In Asia)

This volume provides a timely and expert analysis of Japan's Asia policy as the country continues to address the future through trying to cope with the burden of a chequered past. Dr Mendl locates his expostion of Japan's policy towards both North-East and South-East Asia in a full historical and cultural context and importantly takes due account of the underlying and potent factor of national identity in shaping international outlook. He begins his study with a discussion of the enigma of Japanese policy expressed in debate over whether or not that policy expresses a calculated grand design. A corresponding enigma emerges in Dr Mendl's exposition of Japan's policy towards a part of the world with which it shares a geographical location and a measure of identity but one which, he maintains, cannot be separated from its engagement at the global level. In exploring the theme of how Japan is confronted by the problem of reconcling its relations with Asia with pursuing a global role in unchartered post-Cold War waters, Dr.Mendl makes a lucid and scholarly contribution to the debate about Japan's place in a world which it has helped to shape through its economic performance and example. "From the end of the Second World War to the end of the Cold War Japan had little room for manoeuvre in terms of conducting its foreign policy because of its close association with the United States. Beneath the surface, however, Japan sought to develop an independent policy towards Asia. In the 1990s it can no longer count on the Cold War structures to provide the frame of reference for its foreign policy." "Wolf Mendl explains the historical roots of Japan's foreign policy, especially the Asia-versus-the-West debate. The book provides a readable and up-to-date analysis of Japan's relations with the countries of North-East and South-East Asia. It also makes comparisons with the policies of powers of equal status in the post-war world. Various policy options are discussed as well as the determinants and characteristics which are likely to govern the conduct of Japan's external relations." "The book underlines the importance of the international environment in shaping the direction of Japan's foreign policy. It has become part of the Japanese tradition in the post-war era to steer the ship of state with the view to keeping open as many options as possible and adjusting to circumstances as they arise." --Book Jacket This volume provides a timely and expert analysis of Japan's Asia policy as the country continues to address the future through trying to cope with the burden of a chequered past. Dr Mendl locates his expostion of Japan's policy towards both North-East and South-East Asia in a full historical and cultural context and importantly takes due account of the underlying and potent factor of national identity in shaping international outlook. He begins his study with a discussion of the enigma of Japanese policy expressed in debate over whether or not that policy expresses a calculated grand design. A corresponding enigma emerges in Dr Mendl's exposition of Japan's policy towards a part of the world with which it shares a geographical location and a measure of identity but one which, he maintains, cannot be separated from its engagement at the global level. In exploring the theme of how Japan is confronted by the problem of reconcling its relations with Asia with pursuing a global role in unchartered post-Cold War waters, Dr. Mendl makes a lucid and scholarly contribution to the debate about Japan's place in a world which it has helped to shape through its economic performance and example Japan drifted along the currents of international politics in the post-war era without any particular purpose or sense of direction; or so it seemed in contrast to other states of similar importance. Mendl explains the historical roots of Japan's foreign policy, especially the Asia-versus-the-West debate, and underlines the importance of the international environment in shaping its direction Wolf Mendl. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.