Shinzo Abe
- served twice as PM (2006/7 + 2012/20)
- comes from prominent political family
- Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)
- controversial
-> extreme nationalist
-> doubted Japanese should regret WW2 actoins - assassinated 2022 during campaign speech
who was Shizo Abe grandpa
Nobusuke Kishi, old PM; accused of war crimes after WW2
Shizo Abe general shifts in foreign policies towards Asia
- Japans region Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific (from 2013 speeches onwards)
- preserve US-led liberal order and keep US engaged in Asia via “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”
- pushed more active regional security role (esp. martitime)
- from passive economy-focused stance -> active role in shaping Asias strategic enviornment
what was the meaning being Abes shift from Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific
counter China’s growing influence and emphasize democratic maritime partnerships (Japan, India, Australia, U.S. – the “Quad”)
“Proactive Contribution to Peace” doctrine
- Dec 2013
- first ever national security strategy
- justifying stronger security posture
- more participation in regional peacekeeping and collective defense
“Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP) Vision
vision is a free, rules-based interconnected region
- Asia becomes part of a broader Indo-Pacific Space
- links pacific and indian oceans
- balances Chinas rise
- strengthens coooperation with US, India, Australia
Article 9
“no war” clause
- renounces war as a sovereign right > prohibts use of force to settle international disputes
- land, sea, air forces never maintained
- drafted following surrender of Japan in WW2
Reinterpretation of Article 9
- Abe thinks that new generation of Japanese shouldnt have to pay for actions of past
- 2014 reinterpretation
-> achieved via cabinent decision, bypassing formal constitutional amendment process
-> collective self defense allowed, Japan can assist allies under attack even if Japan itself isnt directly being attacked - US supported reinterpretation
- rests on unstable legal foundation
US relations
- shifted from one sided dependence to more equal partnership
- coordinating closely on regional deterrence (China, NK)
reviving QUAD
- Japan, US, India, Australia
- expanded security cooperation across Southeast Asia
economic rules
- liberal!
- advanced free trade frameworks
EU-Japan (EPA), CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership)
contrast to Chinas BRI
“Quality infrastructure” as a transparent sustainable alternative
attitudes different from previous PM: pacifist limits
- move away from limits under 1947 US-written constitution
- wants to make normal nation able to use its own military force for defense
attitudes different from previous PM: Yoshida Doctrine
historical break in reinterpreting article 9
attitudes different from previous PM: defense spending
expanded beyond what earlier leaders deemed acceptable
attitudes different from previous PM: US and Pacific Allies
- pushed ties
- recognising Japan couldnt balance China alone
- prioritising partnerships like QUAD
attitudes different from previous PM: TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)
- sustained after US withdrew
- showing independent leadership in regional trade
attitudes different from previous PM: Yasukuni Shrine
(Shrine that honours Japans war dead including convicted war criminals)
- official visits
- first in nearly 3 decades by any PM
- reduced warguilt apoligies reflecting more confident and unapologetic nationalism
Asian countries reaction: China
- visit to Shrine: “strong indignation”, “open challenge to historical justice” > Abe is beautifying Japans WW2 actions, trampling feelings of vicitimised nations + freezing diplomatic outreach
- military normilisation: accusing of reviving nationalism, and raising doubts about his commitment to peaceful developement > warning of undermining post-WW2 international order
- FOIP: reinforcing Chinese perception of encirclement, attempt to contain Chinas influence
- QUAD: critical, “mini-NATO” / “selective multilateralism”, Japan is Washingtons eager partner in anti-China coalition
Asian countries reaction: South Korea
- Yasukuni Shrine: intense anger, “fundamentally changes the stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia”, National Assembly unanimously passed resolution denouncing Abes visit (insulting to Koreas victims of Japanese colonialism), large protests, refused to hold summit with Abe for years
- Security policy changes: balanced critisicms with pragmatic caution
- Article 9: “concerns over history”, lingering distrust, acknowledging that a more capable Japan can contribute to regional stability / indirectly bolster SK security, memories of Japanese occuption = skeptically in society
Asian countries reaction: NK
- Shrine Visit: official news called it “declaration of war” against Korea and Asia
- Security: Abe backs sanctions over nuclear and missile programmes: 2019 critisised weapons test (diplomat called him “an idiot and a villain”), warned him to stay out of NK business
- blame him for escalating tensions
- rejected Abes offers at dialogue
- justifying own militarisation by saying Japanese were itching for conflict
