Description
Book SynopsisNormalizing Japan explains how politics and identity have interacted in postwar Japan to shape Japans distinctive security practices, offering a useful framework for understanding the important change taking place in Japanese security policy today.
Trade Review"Andrew Oros' contribution to constructivist literature through his challenging of realist theories of international relations and rationalist understandings of domestic politics combine to make
Normalizing Japan an important addition to international relations and comparative politics scholarship . . . In sum, the value of this book is twofold. The first lies in its empirical richness and description of compromises reached among domestic and international actors, while the second reflects its contribution to constructivist theory through charting the institutionalisation and evolution of Japan's security identity." -- Christopher K. Lamont *
Political Studies Review *
"
Normalizing Japan definitely moves the scholarly debate forward and provides useful analytical tools for anyone trying to disentangle rhetoric from reality in Japanese security policy." -- Michael J. Green *
Journal of Japanese Studies *
"It is clear that a tremendous amount of hard work and research went into the creation of this book .... Credit must be given to Oros for writing a book that is completely borderless with respect to sources, whether text or interviews; he represents a new breed of Japan specialists who operate with equal facility in Japan and in their own countries . . . This book should be required reading for current and aspiring Japan specialist in the arena of politics and security." -- Tosh Minohara *
Journal of Asian Studies *
"A model of academic research
Normalizing Japan is enhanced with seven major appendices, extensive notes, a 29-page bibliography, and a comprehensive index, making it an invaluable and strongly recommended addition to academic library Contemporary International Studies reference collections in general, and Japanese Governmental Studies reading lists in particular." --
The Midwest Book Review"This thoughtful, carefully argued study challenges the many Chicken Littles who warn that Japan is ready to break free of its post-war constraints." -- Leonard Schoppa * University of Virginia *
"Andrew Oros has written an important book on one of the seminal questions in East Asian affairs. The character and impact of Japan's unique national security identity of antimilitarism--and its evolution today in a region where 'realist' forces are reasserting themselves is a challenging scholarly issue that also has real world significance.
Normalizing Japan marshals impressive evidence to make careful and thoughtful arguments about the role of identity and history in Japanese national security decision making. The book is a welcome addition to a growing debate on the logic and pathways of Japan's postwar identity and foreign policy." -- G. John Ikenberry * Princeton University *
"A well-crafted and innovative study of contested national identity. Oros shows how Japan's security identity, despite significant material changes in the domestic and international environment, remains rooted in domestic anti-militarism. He offers empirical benchmarks to suggest that so far Japan is normalizing but not nationalizing or permanently pacifying." -- Henry R. Nau * George Washington University *
"This work effectively presents Japan's defensive orientation and practices as normal for the Japanese as they reflect the political negotiations and compromises that have shaped and continue to define the framework within which security decisions are made." --
CHOICE"...Represents a fine example of the synergy that can be created by drawing upon the strengths of both area studies and discipline. In short, this book stands out as one of the best additions to the field over recent years and represents another excellent contribution to what is shaping up to be a fine series in Asian security studies under the sponsorship of the East-West Center." --
Pacific AffairsTable of ContentsCONTENTS List of Tables List of Appendices List of Acronyms Preface Introduction A Shifting Wind in Japan Today? The Argument in Brief Defining Security Identity Methods, Cases, and Evidence: Measuring Security Identity and Policy Shift 1. Security Identity and the Evolution of Security Practice: Explaining Policy Change Explaining Policy Change Security Identities and Security Practice: Towards a General Framework Structuring Japan's Security Practice: Explaining Continuity and Change Complementary and Contending Explanations for Japanese Security Practice 2. Negotiating and Institutionalizing a New Postwar Security Identity Competing Visions for Postwar Japan Facing a New Postwar Environment at Home and Abroad Early Party Politics Surrounding Japan's Future International Role Creating a New Armed Forces and a New Security Identity Domestic Antimilitarism and the U.S.-Japan Alliance Cold War Security Politics under the Hegemony of Domestic Antimilitarism 3. Reaffirming Core Principles in a "Lost Decade", 1989-1998 Confronting a New International and Domestic Environment Adapting to New Challenges and Reaffirming Core Principles Looking Forward, Looking Backward 4. Limiting Conflict through Arms Export Restrictions The External Origins of the Arms Export Ban, 1945-1952 The Post-Occupation Policy of Restricted Arms Exports, 1952-1964 Institutionalizing Arms Export Restrictions, 1965-1979 New Challenges to Arms Export Restrictions, 1980-1989 The Limited Post-Cold War Evolution of Arms Export Restrictions Conclusions: Security Identity and Evolving Arms Export Restrictions 5. The Next Frontier: Keeping Outer Space "Peaceful" International and Alliance Politics in Japan's Early Outer Space Policy Domestic Political Issues Raised by Possible Japanese Activities in Outer Space Growing Enthusiasm for Outer Space Activities Identity Shift? The Decision to Deploy Surveillance Satellites Conclusions: Security Identity and Evolving Use of Outer Space 6. Missile Defense, Alliance Politics, and Security Identity U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Missile Defense: Past, Present...and Future? Contending Explanations for Japan's Missile Defense Policy External Actors, Missile Defense, and the Evolution of Japan's Security Identity Missile Defense and the Politics of Security Identity Looking Forward: Missile Defense and Japan's Evolving Security Practice 7. Japan's Security Identity and Security Practice in a New Century Moves Beyond the "Three Rs" of Japanese Security Policymaking A Resilient Security Identity in Post-Taepodong and Post 9/11 Japan Conceptualizing Change in Japan's Security Future (Re)producing A 21st Century Security Identity In Conclusion Appendices Bibliography Index
