In contemporary IR realist theory, neorealism has been prevalent among scholars to explain the state’s decision-making in foreign politics. In the last 20 years, this trend directed the research on the undertaking of Japan’s foreign policy, especially in the case of Japan’s relations with China and the U.S. However, the sole focus on structural factors lacks explanation for the predominantly abstinent nature of Japan’s foreign policy in the face of threats from external powers. Other realist approaches, such as the neoclassical realism theory, particularly the impact of elite fragmentation on foreign affairs decision-making, were mostly omitted in analysing Japan’s decision-making in foreign affairs. Here, I show the results of the 1980-82 period scrutiny on the Japanese foreign policy formation, characterised by one of the most severe factionalisation of the then-ruling LDP party in Japanese political history. Using the case study, I show that the period of 1980-82 was marked by a weak Japanese foreign policy leadership caused by the LDP split between several powerful factions related to unique institutional forms developed in the LDP. Applying the theory of neoclassical realism and observing the available internal party reports, diplomatic bluebooks and Cabinet records, my results demonstrate the negative impact of elite fragmentation on dealing with external challenges, such as Reagan’s changed policy stance towards Japan. The results have implications for understanding the institutional power of factions on Japanese decision-making and enrichment of the neoclassical theory of IR from the perspective of the influence of domestic political institutions.

Authors:
Yan Shot, ADASTRA, Ukraine

About the Presenter(s)
Mr Yan Shot is a researcher at the ADASTRA Institute. His work focuses on Japan’s security institutionalisation and how domestic politics shape its foreign policy, currently contributing to the study of DPRK’s role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yan-shot-239248249/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

Bookmark