The year 2018 saw the ratification of both the Strategic Partnership Agreement, as well as the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the EU. These agreements constitute a major...Show moreThe year 2018 saw the ratification of both the Strategic Partnership Agreement, as well as the Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the EU. These agreements constitute a major enhancement of the bilateral relationship between Japan and the EU. A relationship, as both parties stress, that is founded on shared universal values. The two parties are often seen as natural partners, for both underscore the importance of maintaining the international order which rests upon these values. The EU advocates universal values through the inclusion of conditionality clauses in FTAs, linking political interests such as universal values with commercial benefits. In the past decades, the Japanese government, too, has shifted towards increasingly emphasizing universal values in its diplomacy. However, this thesis challenges the value-orientated rhetoric that surrounds the EU-Japan relationship. In this thesis it is argued that instead of natural allies, Japan and the EU are in fact artificial allies, as both sides interpret and implement values in ways that suit their respective foreign policies. This is demonstrated by means of a case study based on the Rohingya crisis. By analysing how Japan and the EU have approached this situation, this thesis seeks to shed light on a gap between Japanese and European foreign policies, and by extension a gap in the interpretation of universal values.Show less
In December 2017, Japan and the EU came to a swift finalization of their Economic Partnership Agreement (JEEPA). Despite the fact that intentions for finalization of the agreement had been...Show moreIn December 2017, Japan and the EU came to a swift finalization of their Economic Partnership Agreement (JEEPA). Despite the fact that intentions for finalization of the agreement had been expressed by both parties multiple times and they had failed to meet the timeframes, they did on this occasion. The influencing factors were Brexit, China's rise and U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement(TPP). These factors in combination with ambitious trade policy under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe caused Japan to be steered in this direction, leaving the JEEPA as their only resort to establish comprehensive economic cooperation that might mitigate trade problems arising from Brexit, China's rise and replace the TPP as their preferred trade deal while fitting into Abe's economic policy.Show less
This thesis discusses the question of how an understanding of Japanese politics and culture affects the popularity of Ghibli films with a political message, and what this means for the efficacy of...Show moreThis thesis discusses the question of how an understanding of Japanese politics and culture affects the popularity of Ghibli films with a political message, and what this means for the efficacy of Japan’s pop-culture diplomacy. One of the goals of MOFA’s 2006 pop-culture diplomacy is to further the understanding of Japan by disseminating culture, but it does not seem to have the desired effect. To discuss this I have used a reception study using reviews by US and Japanese reviewers. The movies discussed are both by Isao Takahata, one of Studio Ghibli's founders and main directors. The movies are Pom Poko and Grave of the Fireflies. To set the stage I have discussed literature on Ghibli films and domestic politics, cultural heritage and history of Japan. Some key theories are Koichi Iwabuchi's fragrant/odorless theory on culture, Joseph N. Nye's soft power theory and Douglas McGrays's "Japan's Gross National Cool", which has been adapted by the Japanese government as their Cool Japan campaign. To test the efficacy of the dissemination of Japanese culture, politics and history to garner understanding overseas, online reviews were used. Using a content analysis on the reviews I have studied the main points and opinions reviewers from both countries have on both movies. Using Koichi Iwabuchi's odorless/fragrant theory I have then explained why there are differences in appreciation of the movies. These differences in appreciation and understanding prove that MOFA's 2006 pop-culture diplomacy does not work well as it does not attain the goal of gaining understanding of Japanese culture.Show less
When the reversion of Okinawa occurred in 1972, the island already was a complex amalgamation of various identities: heirs of indigenous Ryukyu culture, second-class Japanse citizens subjected to...Show moreWhen the reversion of Okinawa occurred in 1972, the island already was a complex amalgamation of various identities: heirs of indigenous Ryukyu culture, second-class Japanse citizens subjected to discrimination and war victims betrayed by its own government and colonised by a foreign force. Literally rising from the ashes, Okinawa has been reformulating its identity once again in face of challenges resulting from their marginal position amidst two greater powers. These include war trauma, economic rebuilding, continued discrimination by the mainland and persisting US base issues. Similar to a kaleidoscope, one can reposition individual elements to create a new constellation. Depending on the observer, different views and meanings can be constructed and interpreted. This thesis examines how Okinawans as a minority have emphasised and/or rearranged certain cultural symbols or narratives, creating new identities and using them as weapons, in order to negotiate a better standing within Japan following the period after the revision. Some developments that immediately come to mind are the emergence of civil society based on universal values of democracy, peace and ecology and the embedding of Okinawans as historical victims of the Japanese government and the mobilization of historical memory. I will be primarily focussing on contemporary post-reversion literature in my analysis, intending on researching the presence of these new identitities within contemporary novels. My objective is to observe if and/or how the ‘main model’ mentioned above is reflected and if the tendencies of modern literature have shifted accordingly.Show less
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are Japan’s “military”. Prohibited to conduct offensive operations, the SDF has developed an image which portrays it not as a fighting force but rather as a...Show moreThe Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) are Japan’s “military”. Prohibited to conduct offensive operations, the SDF has developed an image which portrays it not as a fighting force but rather as a supportive one, with disaster relief being one of its main roles. Some scholars question whether the SDF does or does not violate the ‘war potential’ prohibition. Even though there has been research on the legitimacy issue, there has yet to be a study on the emphasis of the disaster relief function of the SDF by the government. In this thesis, I argue that the disaster relief in Defence White Papers has been emphasized through a content analysis. Public opinion polls show that, contrary to popular believe, there has not been an increase in the willingness of the Japanese public to let the SDF play a bigger role in military operations. One way to interpret these outcomes is that the government is putting emphasis on the disaster relief function of the SDF in order to legitimize the SDF’s existence and gradually prepare the Japanese public for a more offensive role. However, this has not yet helped convince the public that the SDF should get more involved in military operations, which becomes clear when examining public opinion on the SDF Iraq dispatch.Show less
With North Korea being in the spotlight of the international community of late, the relations between North Korea and Japan could shift from antagonism to normalisation of relations. The abduction...Show moreWith North Korea being in the spotlight of the international community of late, the relations between North Korea and Japan could shift from antagonism to normalisation of relations. The abduction issue from the late twentieth century is one of the most influential obstacles in normalisation, but the North Korean government considers the abduction issue solved after the return of five abductees and the declaration of eight deceased abductees, whereas the Japanese government does not consider it solved. The abduction issue plays an important role in that it is a major issue Prime Minister Abe can use to portray North Korea as a threat to better achieve his own goals. The abduction issue puts a strain on the relations between North Korea and Japan and might continue to do so in the future if it is not resolved. To successfully normalise relations with the North, the abduction issue might have to be put on a lower priority, but the issue has been rooted in Japan’s North Korea policy ever since it came into the light, with Abe being one of the most influential political actors in popularizing the abductions. Thus, the research question of this thesis is: Can Abe back out of the discourse he created with the abduction issue?Show less
The wind energy market in Japan lags behind other energy sources in size, development and implementation of the technology. This paper analyses the causes behind the stagnant nature of wind energy...Show moreThe wind energy market in Japan lags behind other energy sources in size, development and implementation of the technology. This paper analyses the causes behind the stagnant nature of wind energy in Japan, using a PESTLE analysis to determine important influencing factors. These are then used to make recommendations concerning government policy aimed at the wind energy market in Japan.Show less
This thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it...Show moreThis thesis will explore the explanations for why the current Japanese government does not abolish or radically adjust its regulations regarding regular and non-regular workers. In doing so, it will touch upon the historical development of labour policy-making (e.g. shift to shingikai). It will use a Marxism framework to prove that under the current policies, non-regular workers are being exploited. This is done by examining two policies proposed by the Abe administration, namely the Zero Overtime Bill, and the amendment of the Worker Dispatch Law. It will subsequently prove that this is not a trend that has started recently, but a trend that has started in the 80’s.Show less
This thesis explores the way in which Abe might be using the rule of law as a rhetorical tool in his international and domestic speeches. It will be discussed how he might be utilizing the rule of...Show moreThis thesis explores the way in which Abe might be using the rule of law as a rhetorical tool in his international and domestic speeches. It will be discussed how he might be utilizing the rule of law in order to counter a negative domestic discourse aimed at him as a result of new-left wing protest groups. The thesis also examines how this use of the rule of law might affect expectations by the international community for Japan's military role.Show less
This thesis attempts to find out how and why women have not been able to reach the higher managerial positions in contemporary Japan. This thesis analyses three different layers. First is the...Show moreThis thesis attempts to find out how and why women have not been able to reach the higher managerial positions in contemporary Japan. This thesis analyses three different layers. First is the system of the career track and the clerical track which are called Ippanshoku and sōgōshoku. The second point is that Japanese working women also need more role models. They are very elementary, as these role models can not only be a mentor but also provide the right example for women to reach the top. Lastly, it analyses the system of ‘amakudari’. This system enables government officials to drop into higher managerial positions in the larger Japanese corporations when they retire from their ministerial work. This thesis finds that Japanese companies have the key role in ameliorating the situation of the few female managers within the Japanese corporations as they are keeping the current systems in place.Show less
In 2014, the United Nations recommended to the Japanese government that it should promulgate laws against hate speech. This advice was ignored by the Japanese government, claiming such laws would...Show moreIn 2014, the United Nations recommended to the Japanese government that it should promulgate laws against hate speech. This advice was ignored by the Japanese government, claiming such laws would interfere with the right of freedom of speech. With the racism against Zainichi Koreans (citizens in Japan of Korean ancestry) as a case study, using the New Haven School of Jurisprudence as framework, this thesis posits that “freedom of speech” is not the Japanese government’s (only) reason for refusing to promulgate laws against hate speech. By researching Diet discussions, newspaper articles, court cases and personal accounts of prominent politicians such as Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, this essay comes to the conclusion that the actual reasons differ from the official one given. The general conclusions of this thesis are that the Japanese government is reluctant to promulgate laws against hate speech because it is concerned about its independence from the United Nations, and because there is a disregard for minority issues in general.Show less
