Summary Contemporary Japanese Politics and International Relations
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Course
Contemporary Japanese Politics
Institution
Universiteit Leiden (UL)
Book
The State and Politics In Japan
Summary of the first year course Contemporary Japanese Politics and International Relations given by prof. Black at Leiden University. Based on lectures and readings.
Contemporary Japanese Politics and International Relations pt. 2
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Contemporary Japanese Politics and International Relations
Summary First Half
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Based on lecture and reading notes and extra info from internet :p
Terms and concepts
Concept/Word Meaning
Multilateralism In international relations it refers to an alliance of multiple countries with a common
goal, three or more parties
Conservative Promote and preserve traditional institutions, practices and values
Progressive Represent the interests of ordinary people, advance (progress) the human living
conditions by social reform
Liberalism Make the world more stable by:
- international organisations – enable corporations on issue areas (WHO,
International Law). They will not determine how states act, but facilitate cooperation.
- economic interdependence – states will cooperate for trade, trade relations where
each side benefits. Economic interactions will support more interest in things
- democracy – importance of democratic structures as an ideal of governance.
Democratic states are peaceful in relations with others.
Agree with realists that the world has no overarching framework on states. But even
though one state may get more, as long as they both achieve and gain something,
cooperation is possible. Cooperation in a more positive way, to enhance achieving
their common goals. Goes hand in hand with empire (freedom of trade facilitate
empire.
Neoliberalism Competition is seen as defining characteristic of human relations. Market-oriented
reform policies. Postal reforms of Koizumi Junichiro an example of neoliberalism
reforms. Associated with free-market capitalism.
Radical Liberalism Emerged in the 19th century. Advocates universal suffrage and other democratic
rights. Desire to strengthen the authority of the people and their rights.
Realism States have to take care of themselves and survive on their own. Great powers will
do what they want and smaller states will suffer. Big states try to get at much as they
want at the expense of their rivals – relative gains.
States as rational actors, rationalist calculation of national interests and material
power.
Maintaining peace? Focus on a balance of power, to ensure that no state becomes
more powerful than the other. This creates a security dilemma. If one state
enhances their security and defence, it makes other state leading more power to
response to this ‘threat’ which activates a chain reaction of constant gain of power.
Even if it is just a manor to increase defence.
Communism All property owned by the community and each person contributes and receives
according to their ability and needs. Similar to socialism.
Socialism Ownership and control of the means of production, distribution and exchange
should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
Capitalism Trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit. Economic system:
competitive markets, wage labour, price system etc.
Anarchism Advocating the abolition of hierarchical government and the organisation of society
on a voluntary, cooperative basis without recourse to force or compulsion. Sceptical
of all justifications for authority.
Anarchic international system Overarching order of independent states, nothing constraining their independent
actions. A big enough state can ignore international laws and institutions.
Sino-centric world order Emperor was at the centre, all under the heavens, governed from the centre
(Beijing). Return of privileges and security. Japanese rulers expected to be
subordinate to China. Eventually Japan wanted independence and equal status.
Ryukyu Kingdom under tribute order, but later also under Satsuma and southern
Kyushu (became a ‘theatre state’), after Meiji under Japan’s sovereign state (as
Okinawa). Change from sino-centric order to western-centric order and imperialism.
Pan-Asianism Asia could come together against Western imperialism. Japan had an unique
leadership role (defeated Russia, showed that Asian countries could go against the
West). Thoughts that justify Japan’s empire: not just about Japan, but co-prosperity
among Asia. Idea still there that Japan is ahead, very problematic.
Reverse Course Shift in policies of the US and the US-led Allied occupation of Japan. Sought to
reform and rebuild Japan after WWII. Shift from demilitarisation and democratisation
of Japan to economic reconstruction and remilitarisation of Japan in support of US
in Cold War.
Strategic State Concept to understand Japan’s foreign policy. Strong degree of consensus (general
agreement) among bureaucrats, politicians and businesspeople (Iron Triangle).
Lecture terugkijken
Developmental State ‘Generic term to describe government which try to ‘intervene’ actively in economic
processes and direct the course of development, rather than relying on market
forces’
A state that is focused on economic development.
Reactive State US pressure overcame competition amongst Japan’ s bureaucracies. PM so weak
that he and his cabinet can not make policies, policies bubble up through the
bureaucracies.
Stakeholder/Adaptive State* Stakeholder State (Ikenberry view)
Based on US-led Liberal International order. Trade openness, alliances, multilateral
institutions and democracy. Japan is a civilian great power, UN-focused (supporting
financing operations), economic-centred foreign policy.
Adaptive State (Berger view)
Japan more independent, active and liberalism foreign policy. Multinational
institutions, international trade, human rights and democracy. Different from
Ikenberry as Japan increasingly prepared to embrace a leadership role since the
end of the Cold War
, Kantei led diplomacy PM better able to direct foreign policy
Yoshida Doctrine Tied to pacifist constitution. Reliance on the US for Japan’s security. Many wanted
to move away from this.
Reliance on the US and development of Japan’s economy.
The 1955 system Foundation of LDP (1955-93), combination of two conservative parties – Liberal
Party by Yoshida Shigeru and Democratic Party by Ichiro Hatoyama (both PM)
The San Francisco Treaty
The San Francisco System Pursued by US in Asia after WWII. Hubs (US) and spokes (Japan, S-Korea, Taiwan,
Australia, New Zealand etc.)
Aim: pacify Japan but paradoxically Japan as an Asian economic leader.
Asymmetric bilateral alliances – one on one security agreements. US stood at the
centre of a hub of relations between US and individual countries, US is dominant.
Absence of multilateral security structures, special precedence to Japan (hoping
Japan’s economic growth would spread), liberal trade access to American markets.
Very dependent relationship between Japan and the US, which gives the US power
over Japan.
the Diet (Kokkai) Political system of Japan. Formed with the Meiji Constitution. Bicameral type of
government (legislature divided into two separate houses). Consists of House of
Councillors (upper house) and House of Representatives (lower house). This gets
its own summary page lmao
Twisted Diet When Lower House loses control over the Upper House, were now the opposition
have the majority. Upper House can stall and reject bills send from the Lower
House, but as the Lower House has more power, they can ram through bills that
have been rejected (very unpopular with the public though)
Constituency Group of voters in a certain area who elect a representative
Pork Barrel Politics Spending on constituents of a politician (his group of voters, his stans) to get their
political support in return (through votes or campaign contributions).
Tanaka Kakuei and his rail line having three stops in his hometown, with a total of
12 stops or so, is a good example of this.
Single-member district One member of a party runs in a constituency (?)
Multi-member district Multiple members of a party run, compete with each other.
First Past the Post A winner takes it all method. Candidate with the most votes in each constituency)
gets a seat, other candidates get no representation at all. Favours the bigger
parties. Disproportional – parties do not get representation according to their share
of votes from the public
Single-non-transferable vote Electoral system used to elect multiple winners. Usually in multi-member districts.
More than one seat has to be filled (unlike first past the post)
Each voter casts one vote for one candidate, posts are filled by candidates with the
most votes. Produces mixed representation of large and small parties, no party
taking all the seats. Minority representation
Proportional representation Reflects overall distribution of public votes, all votes contribute to the results. Not
just exclusively the majority. In electoral reforms of Japan, no more voting on single
politicians, but on the party. Party label becomes important
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