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Less heat, more light: (Re-)Assessing Change in Japan’s Security Policy

Larissa Sophia, Stünkel (2018) ACET35
Centre for East and South-East Asian Studies, Lund University
Abstract
Since Abe Shinzo returned as Prime Minister of Japan, the question about just where his ambitions will lead Japan have become much more frequent. Through a range of bills and measurements, he has sparked a debate as to whether Japan has seen radical change, or whether it is merely incremental in nature. This thesis contributes by adding a nuanced approach to ‘measuring’ change in Japan’s security policy. By employing a graduated level of change approach, change in its security realm is critically examined. Empirically, this thesis relies on policy documents to establish the extent of change than can be attributed to Abe’s administration. The thesis finds that change is visible at different levels, such as effort or methods/means, but that... (More)
Since Abe Shinzo returned as Prime Minister of Japan, the question about just where his ambitions will lead Japan have become much more frequent. Through a range of bills and measurements, he has sparked a debate as to whether Japan has seen radical change, or whether it is merely incremental in nature. This thesis contributes by adding a nuanced approach to ‘measuring’ change in Japan’s security policy. By employing a graduated level of change approach, change in its security realm is critically examined. Empirically, this thesis relies on policy documents to establish the extent of change than can be attributed to Abe’s administration. The thesis finds that change is visible at different levels, such as effort or methods/means, but that these do not explicitly exhibit a complete reversal of Japan’s security posture. While we may not witness a complete reversal of Japan’s original security posture, the findings still suggest that Abe has left a lasting impact in the security realm. Thus, contrary to belief, changes in security policy take a variety of forms and should each be acknowledged carefully to make informed judgements. For Japan under Abe, it stands to reason that change has left a decisive mark, which should neither be overestimated in scope nor should it be understood as a purely systemic continuation of previous policies. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Larissa Sophia, Stünkel
supervisor
organization
course
ACET35
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Security Policy, Abe Shinzo, Japan, Policy change, Graduated levels, Capabilities, Proactive Pacifism, Security cooperation
language
English
id
8962328
date added to LUP
2018-10-25 09:45:02
date last changed
2018-10-25 09:45:02
@misc{8962328,
  abstract     = {{Since Abe Shinzo returned as Prime Minister of Japan, the question about just where his ambitions will lead Japan have become much more frequent. Through a range of bills and measurements, he has sparked a debate as to whether Japan has seen radical change, or whether it is merely incremental in nature. This thesis contributes by adding a nuanced approach to ‘measuring’ change in Japan’s security policy. By employing a graduated level of change approach, change in its security realm is critically examined. Empirically, this thesis relies on policy documents to establish the extent of change than can be attributed to Abe’s administration. The thesis finds that change is visible at different levels, such as effort or methods/means, but that these do not explicitly exhibit a complete reversal of Japan’s security posture. While we may not witness a complete reversal of Japan’s original security posture, the findings still suggest that Abe has left a lasting impact in the security realm. Thus, contrary to belief, changes in security policy take a variety of forms and should each be acknowledged carefully to make informed judgements. For Japan under Abe, it stands to reason that change has left a decisive mark, which should neither be overestimated in scope nor should it be understood as a purely systemic continuation of previous policies.}},
  author       = {{Larissa Sophia, Stünkel}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Less heat, more light: (Re-)Assessing Change in Japan’s Security Policy}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}