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Japan’s Foreign and Security Policy under Shinzo Abe
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International
Relations and
Security Issues
Of East Asia
Japan’s Foreign and Security Policy
under Shinzo Abe

Summary
Summary: …………………………………………………………………………………….2
Abstract: ……………………………………………………………………………………...3
İntroduction: ……………………………………………………...………………………… 4
I – Abe’s Foreign and Security Policy …………………………………………..…. 5
II – First Abe Government (2006-2007)……………………………………………………..6
III – First Abe Government 2012 till now……………………………………………………7
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IV – Abe’s Security Policy …………………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion: ……………………………………………………………………………........ 9
References :………………………………...……………………………………………… 9
Abstract
Shinzo Abe has assumed the premiership for the second time to and that once again Sino-
Japan relations present his foreign policy ambitions with great challenges. A nationalist, Abe
is also a pragmatist whose previous China policy was a nuanced combination of hedging and
engagement. Unlike the last time around, however, Abe is determined to stay in power the full
!ve years allocated to Japanese Prime Ministers and knows that he must consolidate his
domestic position and Japan’s economy before embarking on his foreign policy vision.
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Introduction
The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won Japan’s 2012 political elections. Shinzo
Abe, the LDP leader, regained the post of Prime Minister, which he had already held briefly
in 2006-2007. The LDP’s electoral programme was based on several ambitious, and in part
unprecedented, political initiatives aimed, inter alia, at giving new impetus to the otherwise
stagnant Japanese revising the role of the country’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) and
reinforcing Japan’s international status and national pride. As Mr. Abe took office with
promises of drastic stimulus and change, pursuing a program supercharged with nationalism
that he offered as an antidote to Japan’s decades of economic stagnation and chronic malaise.
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İn 2012nd year, Shortly after taking office Abe signalled a "drastic reshaping" of
foreign policy, and promised to pursue diplomacy with a global, rather than a regional or
bilateral outlook based on "the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, basic human
rights, and the rule of law"
Abe's foreign policy has moved Japan away from its traditional focus on the "big
three" bilateral relationships with the United States, China, and South Korea, and has sought
to increase Japan's international profile by expanding ties with NATO, the EU, and other
organisations beyond the Asia-Pacific region.
The reforms promoted by Prime Minister Abe represent the most fundamental change
in Japan’s foreign and security policy since WWII. Abe’s reforms are the logical consequence
of a process of revision started more than twenty years ago with the end of the Cold War and
later fuelled by the need to contest and contain the rising of China as a regional and global
power. These reforms, including the reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution,
have been undertaken in a context of constantly shifting regional balance in which Japan feels
increasingly threatened by both China and North Korea. This has prompted a significant
upgrade in relations with the US and may pave the way for a new phase of Japanese foreign
policy. Japan, in fact, despite the limited financial resources available, could play an
increasing role in South-East Asia and enhance cooperation with other Asian countries
potentially opposed to Chinese hegemony. Tokyo has to find its place and redefine its role in
a rapidly changing international order, which implies a reorientation of its foreign policy and
consequently a diversification of the instruments for implementing this policy
Abe’s Foreign and Security Policy
To outside observers of Japanese politics, Shinzo Abe’s return to power in Japan was
unexpected and somewhat unlikely. "e unanticipated and sudden end of his first premiership
seemed to be a final closure on the grand ambitions of a leader molded in the style of Prime
Minister Yoshida. For despite his conservative nature, the first Abe cabinet was noted for its
groundbreaking approach to Japan’s security and foreign policy. Noting that his flamboyant
predecessor. Junichiro Koizumi had begun to move Japan out of its careful and pacifist
foreign policy positioning – at the request of the US in the post-9/11 period – Abe dreamt of
turning Japan into a “normal power,” one with allies, interests, and hard and soft power. "is
meant developing a more balanced and equal relationship with Washington, while also
developing strong ties abroad with other Asia-Pacific powers like India and Australia. It also
meant developing a strong relationship with China, while simultaneously hedging against the
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growth of Chinese power in the region. Such a nuanced and complex policy towards Beijing
would require squaring within the right-wing factions of Abe’s party, the Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP), but this could be ameliorated by Abe’s revisionist approach to Japan’s
constitution, as well as his hard-line policy vis-à-vis North Korea.1
Japan is back,” Abe declared in a speech at the Center for Strategic and International
Studies in Washington, DC on February 22. Two months after forming the second Abe
government, he announced during his first visit to Washington, DC that Japan “will never be a
two-tier country.” Abe also discussed China and the Japan-US relationship. On the one hand,
Abe emphasized that Japan-China relations remain “among the most important” and his
commitment to pursuing a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic
interests with China” is firm, and he offered reassurances that “The doors are always open on
my side for the Chinese leaders.” On the other hand, he suggested that China should neither
question Japan’s resolve to defend its own sovereignty nor underestimate the robustness of the
US-Japan alliance.
Abe first laid out the major theme in his foreign policy agenda in remarks that were meant to
be delivered in Jakarta, “The Bounty of the Open Seas: Five Principles for Japanese
Diplomacy,”
• Speaking of the strategic importance of Southeast Asia at the confluence of the Indian
and Pacific Oceans;
• the “vital significance” of the Japan-US alliance in maintaining “the safety and
prosperity” of the region;
• Expanding ties between “Japan and America’s other allies and partners”;
• “strengthening Japan’s “ties with maritime Asia.”
He listed the principles that would guide Japan’s regional diplomacy:
• “universal values”;
• Governance of the maritime commons by “laws and rules, not by might”;
• Networking to strengthen economic ties through “trade and investment, people and
goods”;
• Promotion of intercultural ties between Japan and the region;
• Promoting people-to-people exchanges among the next generation of leaders.2
1
file:///C:/Users/aliq/Downloads/Abe's%20FP%20HAQ.pdf
2
http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_Abe/statment/2013/18speech_e.html.
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First Abe Government (2006-2007)
The foreign policy of the present Abe government reflects a continuing evolution of policy
lines articulated during the first Abe government in response to challenges then emerging in
Japan’s security environment: North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, the rise of China, and
the importance of Japan playing a more active international role. Called on Japan to enhance
its relationships with the countries that share common views and interests, including the
United States, Australia, India, and countries within the EU and NATO. This vision was
widely interpreted as an effort by Japan to assume a leadership role and establish a foundation
for an Asian community with standards that were in stark contrast to those that China
represents. In 2007, Abe, in fact, moved to advance Japan’s ties with NATO, the EU, India,
and Australia. In January, as the first Japanese prime minister to address the North Atlantic
Council, he made clear his intention to carry out a “proactive foreign policy,” to have Japan
“play a meaningful role on the global stage,” and to “collaborate with NATO, building on a
common sense of trust.” While respecting its Constitution, Abe told his audience that Japan
“would no longer shy away from carrying out overseas activitiesinvolving the SDF.” Turning
to Asia, Abe referred to China as presenting “great opportunities for us all” but also called
attention to “some uncertainties surrounding China”—increasing military spending and a lack
of transparency. To address the uncertainties Abe called on “partners sharing fundamental
values” to engage in dialogue with China3
The Abe Government from 2012 tıll now
In December 2013, the Abe government released Japan’s first National Security Strategy. In a
security environment defined as “ever more severe,” it sets out diplomatic and security
policies to protect and advance Japan’s national security, defining national interests as the
maintenance of sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and the safety of Japan’s
citizens. Also defined as national interests are “the maintenance and protection of
international order based on rules and universal values such as freedom, democracy, respect
for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.” Among the challenges to international
security a shifting balance of power, the rise of China and India, the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction, the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and
international terrorism—the National Security Strategy also cites risks to the global commons,
noting “an increasing number of unilateral actions in an attempt to change the status quo by
3
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/pmv0701/nato.html.
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coercion without paying respect to existing international law. In the South China Sea, in
particular, disputes that have arisen over sovereignty between coastal states and China cause
concerns over the maintenance of the rule of law at sea, freedom of navigation, and stability
in the Southeast Asia region.” While expressing the expectation that China will “comply with
international norms” the document finds that it is expanding its military activities with
“actions that can be regarded as attempts to change the status quo by coercion based on their
own assertions, which are incompatible with the existing order of international law, in the
maritime and aerial domains, in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.”4
Abe's security policy
Abe government that value-based diplomacy, Japan is seen as a serious and growing
threat to national security has led to China and North Korea. As opposed government
measures to expand Japan's military capacity, and to strengthen the alliance with the US and
(Especially in connection with China) with similar security concerns in Southeast Asian
nations, India, Australia, South Korea and establish policies closer military relations with
countries such as Russia followed. If this political trend is essentially began in the post-Cold
War it had come to be much more pronounced still under the direction of Abu situation. When
the Allies and currently with regard to network with countries to strengthen their security-
related safety concerns in China, Japan's policy towards China coincides with the China
policy of the United States.
In June 2013 Philippine President Benigno Aquino during his summit with Abe, Aquino
requested by 10 patrol ships to help develop the military capacity of the Philippines
surveillance formally approved the request. This, after three patrol ships delivered in 2007,
Indonesia experienced a second similar case. In addition, the signing of such an agreement
with Vietnam also on the agenda.
Japan After the Cold War, the exclusive peaceful defense policy based on the
constitution, which waived the war gradually eased and overseas military operations had
expanded its regulatory capacity. At the same time the LDP, in response to North Korea's
missile development, the missile base in the warring states and he made strong calls for the
development of capacity to hit other objects.
China and North Korea during Japan's Abe relationship management to further segregate
themselves dragged into confrontation. This partly stems from the military reinforcements
China and North Korea. But at this point nationalist interpretation of the current
4
http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/siryou/131217anzenhoshou/nss-e.pdf.
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administration is another factor that is effective "imperial Japan" which is attempting to
implement sanctions against China and Korea.
In fact, this nationalist interpretation of history, "comfort women" (Women into
prostitution by Japanese soldiers during World War II,) also known as Takeshima / Dokdo in
part by influencing the worst aspects of Japan's relations with South Korea over the issue,
USA’s despite the efforts of South Korea, a tripartite security agreement between the US and
Japan, making it difficult to form unions.
Abu administration; Washington to strengthen the security Connection 27 November
2013 "National Security Council" to create a law and 6 December 2013, Despite national and
international criticism of the secrecy of the information possible and arbitrary punishment, It
ensures the removal of an exclusion order to toughen the law prohibited leaked confidential
information. Japanese-American government as another way to reinforce the co-operation, as
determined by the Constitution, "the ban on collective self-defense using the authority"
showed a strong desire to alleviate direction.
In cross-cutting areas of China with Japan's air defense identification area (HSKS) as seen
in the determination, especially China and North Korea confrontational attitude against the
Abe administration, escalated tension between the parties. China sight and no sign of a
reduction of tensions with North Korea, since Abe government is taking some measures to
feed this voltage.5
Conclusion
Abe's ruling government task began on 26 December 2012. This is the second term of
Abe's takeover of the state administration. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Unlike the
first period (September 2006-September 2007), this time with a more powerful coalition
partner Köne to establishing sovereignty over the legislative Party (KP) is keeping under
control through the Senate. This robust political balance, gives you the power to act the way
he wants a few restrictions Abu-apart from the government.
Shinzo Abe is on the right wing of the party political spectrum of the Liberal Democratic
Party; however, he is also a pragmatist and has shown time and time again a willingness to
shelve his anti-China attitudes in order to accomplish his foreign policy goals. Recognizing
the fact that Japan’s economic health and well-being are connected to Beijing, he has shown
an ability to both accommodate China and to hedge against it through a series of nuanced
5
http://www.analistdergisi.com/sayi/2014/01/abe-yonetimi-altinda-japon-dis-politikasi
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foreign policies. He has hedged by strengthening relationships with traditional allies like the
United States and Australia, and less traditional allies like India. In 2006-2007, Abe promoted
this hedging strategy as a form of values-based foreign policy, which by de!nition excluded
China. His new “security diamond” appears to do the same. In many ways, it is clear that Abe
is a pragmatist, but it is also clear that he is unwilling to completely jettison his beliefs. In
both 2006 and now in 2016, Abe has shown that he is willing to work with China in order to
improve Japan’s foriegn and security relations for politically strategic reasons.
References
file:///C:/Users/aliq/Downloads/Abe's%20FP%20HAQ.pdf
2
http://japan.kantei.go.jp/96_Abe/statment/2013/18speech_e.html.
3
http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/pmv0701/nato.html.
4
http://www.cas.go.jp/jp/siryou/131217anzenhoshou/nss-e.pdf.
http://www.analistdergisi.com/sayi/2014/01/abe-yonetimi-altinda-japon-dis-politikasi
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