After 2020, Japan-Taiwan relations have seen an accelerated change from an informal, ambiguous relationship towards a relationship based on Japan’s support for Taiwan’s de facto independence. This...Show moreAfter 2020, Japan-Taiwan relations have seen an accelerated change from an informal, ambiguous relationship towards a relationship based on Japan’s support for Taiwan’s de facto independence. This thesis argues that the drivers behind the accelerated shift challenge the paradigm that Japan’s Prime Ministerial executive office (the Kantei) exerts unchallenged control over Japan’s foreign policymaking (Mulgan 2017). Namely, influential LDP nationalist right-wing politicians have utilized the Hong Kong protests, 2021 LDP presidential elections and Russia’s attack on Ukraine to make unprecedented pro-Taiwan statements. These statements have called upon the Kantei to more explicitly demonstrate its support for Taiwan’s position, which is in line with the preference of nationalist right-wing politicians for a strong Japan in the international order and their desire to maintain political influence over Japan’s policymaking. Through these statements, LDP nationalist right-wing politicians have more or less ‘hijacked’ Japan’s foreign policymaking. As this undermined the Kantei’s leading role in Japan’s policymaking, the paradigm that Japan is a Kantei-led state in foreign policy needs to be reviewed in order to accommodate the influence of the LDP’s nationalist right-wing.Show less
This paper provides the reader with a basic understanding of what `memory` entails and how political memory has developed in Japan. In particular, this paper focuses on how the Second World War is...Show moreThis paper provides the reader with a basic understanding of what `memory` entails and how political memory has developed in Japan. In particular, this paper focuses on how the Second World War is remembered by conservatives in Japan (primarily the LDP) and how their stance towards apologising is reflected in the annual Ceremony for the War Dead addresses from 2005 up until 2016. The methodology used to analyse these addresses is a derivative of Kiyoteru Tsutsui`s method which looked at changing stances/perspectives on Japan`s war legacy, of both liberals and conservatives in Japan, from 1950 up until 2014.Show less
Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has introduced a manga-pamphlet to promote constitutional revision. The ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, has secured a two- thirds majority in...Show moreJapan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has introduced a manga-pamphlet to promote constitutional revision. The ruling coalition of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, has secured a two- thirds majority in both Houses of the Diet fulfilling one requirement for change. The public decides in a national referendum whether any revision materialises or not. On paper, the manga perfectly fits the LDP’s strategy to get the people on board of constitutional revision. However, Abe’s political manoeuvres as well as his long term plans for the constitution have been vague and not without controversy. He has also pushed a reinterpretation of the constitution through the Diet considered by many as undemocratic. This begs the question how the LDP wishes to convince the public of revision. With the help of critical discourse analysis as well as comics theory and social psychology perspectives, this paper will examine how and with what message the LDP’s manga-pamphlet attempts to convince the public of constitutional revision.Show less
Japan and South-Korea reached an agreement in December 2015 to settle the issue on the comfort women "finally and irreversibly". The comfort women's issue has dominated relations between Japan and...Show moreJapan and South-Korea reached an agreement in December 2015 to settle the issue on the comfort women "finally and irreversibly". The comfort women's issue has dominated relations between Japan and South-Korea ever since it rose to prominence during the early 1990's. This thesis looks at the motivation of the current LDP government of Japan behind the agreement. The agreement is places into a historical context of Japanese post WWII history and politics. The main motivation appears to be the quest within Japan, and to some extend outside of Japan, for "normalization". In order to become a normal country the mainstream line of the LDP has adopted a policy called "apology diplomacy" which allowed them to keep the comfort women's issue from entering the political present, thus keeping the issue from truly being resolved.Show less
