Japan's Foreign Policy in the 1990s

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 1-14

3. The Political and Economic Framework of Japan’s Foreign Policy

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 15-48

4. The International Environment and Japan’s Hard Power

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 49-86

5. The Use of Soft Power in Japan’s Foreign Relations

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 87-143

6. Japan as a Cultural Superpower?

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 144-161

7. Conclusions

   • Reinhard Drifte

   Pages 162-168

8. Back Matter

   Pages 169-197

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This book looks at Japan's foreign policy at the regional and global level from a power perspective. It argues that Japan is no longer an economic superpower while satisfying itself with the posture of a political pygmy. Instead Japan is increasingly translating its economic power into influence over the perceptions, intentions, options and material circumstances of other people. This new power posture has been referred to as 'civilian power' but is no less effective for national interest than military power was in the past. The present economic difficulties and the political upheaval have not significantly dented Japan's power.

• environment
• foreign policy
• perception
• Policy
• Superpower

• University of Newcastle, UK

  Reinhard Drifte

REINHARD DRIFTE is Professor and Chair of Japanese Studies, Newcastle East Asia Research Centre, Department of Politics, University of Newcastle.

Policies and ethics