What is it about?
Do China and North Korea pose a threat to Japan's security? While China's military capacity has evolved over the years, there is not enough evidence to conclude that Japan worried about this development. On the other hand, Tokyo had often expressed strong concern over North Korea, even though the latter's military power had stagnated during this period. Based on these insights, this article argues that it is possible the North Korean "threat" had been used as a convenient excuse for Japan security policies, which were actually made with an eye on countering China.
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Why is it important?
What do we talk about when we talk about "threats" in international relations? In many cases, what makes up a threat is often our perception of others' behaviors, and not necessarily their hostile intentions per se. The quality of an IR analysis, then, depends on a correct interpretation of aggressive/benign behaviors and intentions. In the case of Japan, where scholars have a large potential to influence policies, this is especially important.
Perspectives
Almost one decade since the publication of this article, the relationships between Japan and its neighbors, China and North Korea, have evolved in conjunction with their economic and military capacities. Back in the 2000s, this article projected that the North Korea issue would be a good chance for China and Japan to build rapport. This may still hold to some extent, although Sino-Japanese relations have become increasingly tense.
Professor Linus Hagström
Swedish Defence University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Among threats and a “perfect excuse”: understanding change in Japanese foreign security policy, Korean Journal of Defense Analysis, September 2009, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10163270903087238.
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