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International Relations of the Asia-Pacific
Japan's cautious new activism in the Middle East: a qualitative change or more of the same?
by Jonathan Rynhold
Abstract
This article analyses Japanese policy towards the Middle East in the post-Cold War era. The article argues that Japanese policy has begun to move beyond the reactive diplomacy of the Cold War years. The focus of this new approach has been Japan's growing contribution to 'soft' security in the region. However, Japan retains a tendency to focus on its narrow interests without fully taking into account the broader strategic consequences of its policies. Yet, in order to protect its overall interests in the region, Japan needs to recognize the diminishing utility of this 'free rider' approach and adopt a more active role regarding 'hard' security issues. Even allowing for the domestic constraints on Japanese policy, there is much Japan can do in this regard, especially in coordination with the US.