What is it about?
Japan and China are fighting a "soft-power battle", trying to sell their narratives to audiences around the world. This battle materializes inter alia through the territorial dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. Although battles of this kind occur over ideas, a confrontation with "hard power" can easily be legitimized if the narratives are reproduced and entrenched within the countries.
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Why is it important?
Those watching East Asian politics often take one understanding of what is going on in the region for granted. Their recommendations also seem to flow from this point of view. In contrast, this article challenges the dominant approach and treats narratives of developments in the relationship between China and Japan as the product of ongoing power struggles instead of just simple reflections of reality.
Perspectives
The Diaoyu/Senkaku island dispute continues to be a bone of contention between Japan and China. Instead of fighting soft or hard power battles over it, it may be better for both parties to take up the matter to the International Court of Justice for legal arbitration. This is a solution that not only creates a positive-sum outcome but it would also enhance the soft power of both Japan and China
Professor Linus Hagström
Swedish Defence University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Sino-Japanese battle for soft power: pitfalls and promises, Global Affairs, March 2015, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/23340460.2015.990798.
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