Japan's Reluctant Realism: Foreign Policy Challenges in an Era of Uncertain Power [Paperback]

Michael Green (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2003

Has Japanese foreign policy changed in the post-Cold War era? On the surface, it appears to have been quite consistent since the end of World War II. It has stressed the US-Japanese security alliance, the use of economic tools, and constraints on the use of force. However, this book argues that new ideas and new patterns of diplomacy have in fact come about following the changes after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Using case studies that look at China, the Korean peninsula, Russia and Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and international institutions, Michael Green uncovers a more Japanese foreign policy in Japan. Though it still converges with the US on fundamental issues, it is increasingly independent. While remaining low-risk, it is more sensitive to balance-of-power issues. It is still reactive, but it is far less passive. Green argues that this emerging strategic view, what he calls “reluctant realism,” is being shaped by a combination of changes in the international environment, insecurity about national power resources, and Japanese aspirations for a national identity that moves beyond the legacy of World War II. As a result, it is time for the US and the world to recognize Japan as an independent actor in Northeast Asia and to assess Japanese foreign policy on its own terms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Japan's Reluctant Realism is the finest and most up to date book on Japan's foreign policy in the post-Cold War period. It is full, not only of factual descriptions, but also of insightful analyses. The argument of the book is clear and consistent, partly because it is a work of the single author. Also worth noting is Green's extensive survey of the literature on Japan's foreign policy in both English and Japanese. This book is recommendable for any readers, American or non-American, who are interested in Japanese politics and foreign policy, US foreign policy and international relations in East Asia. I would also recommend this book as an introductory textbook on Japanese foreign policy for undergraduate and graduate courses." —Isao Miyaoka, International Relations of the Asia-Pacific

 

 

"With Japan’s Reluctant Realism, Michael Green has artfully captured the essence of Japanese thinking about the world since the end of the Cold War. Green demonstrates how the uncertainties of the Japanese economy and the angst of a more fluid strategic environment in Northeast Asia have unleashed a new assertiveness in Japanese foreign policy. More than any other book on the subject, Japan’s Reluctant Realism explains why the United States must approach Japan as a strategic player in East Asia if we are to continue building a true strategic partnership with Japan in the future." --Walter F. Mondale

"No single alliance is more important than that with Japan. Can it last in the face of change in Japan and Asia? Michael Green’s positive answer rests on a thorough and sensitive analysis. This is a fine book!" -- Joseph S. Nye, Harvard University

"Green offers valuable insights into Japan's foreign policy and US-Japan relations." --Choice

About the Author

Michael Green has been a Senior Fellow for Asian Security Studies, Council on Foreign Relations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403962359
• ISBN-13: 978-1403962355
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #448,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent book on Japanese foreign policy, June 28, 2001

By 

m_noland "m_noland" (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Japan's Reluctant Realism: Foreign Policy Challenges in an Era of Uncertain Power (Hardcover)

This is an excellent book on Japanese foreign policy written by someone now working for the National Security Council. It draws upon on copious research including interviews conducted by the author, as well as Japanese and English language secondary source materials. Green convincingly argues that Japanese foreign policy is particularly driven by parochial domestic considerations, and in this respect the book is quite timely in light of the political changes occurring in Japan. I learned quite a bit from reading this book -- even regarding issues on which I thought my own prior knowledge was significant.