Event Report: Japanese Foreign Policy in the Abe Era and Beyond: Book Launch Event
On February 24th, 2021, the Centre for the Study of Global Japan, in partnership with the Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and UTokyo’s Center for Contemporary Japanese Studies, welcomed Takeo Hoshi, Adam Liff, Phillip Lipscy, and Mary M. McCarthy, to present “Japanese Foreign Policy in the Abe Era and Beyond: Book Launch Event”.
The presentation discussed Abe Shinzo, who stepped down in September 2020 as the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history, and who sought to fundamentally transform Japan’s foreign relations. What is his legacy, and where is Japanese foreign policy headed under Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide? The panel drew on a recently published book co-edited by Takeo Hoshi and Phillip Lipscy, “The Political Economy of the Abe Government and Abenomics Reforms”. Welcoming chapter authors Adam Liff and Mary M. McCarthy, the panelists discussed Japan’s diplomacy, security policy, approach to issues of historical memory, economic relations, and climate change policy.
Following a brief introduction by Phillip Lipscy, the presentation began with opening remarks by panelist Takeo Hoshi who provided an overview of the book and discussed some of Abe’s achievements in economic policy and reform. Hoshi shared the book’s core argument that the Abe government represents an important turning point in Japanese politics and political economy. Characterized by a strong Prime Minister with centralized authority, careful management of public opinion, and the strategic use of elections for party discipline, the Abe government is the clearest manifestation of a Japanese political system that represents a full transition away from the 1955 system. Hoshi noted that under Abe’s economic policy – or Abenomics – the Japanese economy grew relatively consistently. Among many other political and economic achievements, the speaker highlighted the Abe administration’s success in completing negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) after the departure of the former U.S. president.
Next, Adam Liff discussed his chapter in the book entitled “Japan’s Defense Reforms under Abe” which focuses on Japan's defence reforms and the significance of the institutional and policy changes that occurred under the Abe administration as it relates to national security. Liff noted that the major theme that guided his research was whether or not the Abe government represents a major turning point in post-war Japan with view to Japan’s security policy and defence posture. His analytical framework was organized around two core questions: (1) what changed in terms of defence policy and defence institutions under the Abe government, and (2) what didn't change. Among the changes were the establishment of Japan's first ever National Security Council, and the Abe cabinet’s reinterpretation of Article 9. Among the things that did not change are Japanese defence spending which still remains below 1% of GDP, and the general effort to reduce the inefficiencies in national security decision making. In conclusion, he argued that the answer to the question of whether or not the Abe government represents a major turning point is nuanced: while there were significant changes under the Abe administration, many of these changes occurred along a reform trajectory in Japan that was well established before Abe came to power.
Next, Mary M. McCarthy discussed her chapter in the book entitled “The Enduring Challenges of History Issues” which examines the Abe government's approach to issues of historical memory. During her presentation, McCarthy focused on the historical issue of comfort women in regard to how the Japanese government has treated this issue and how it has influenced Japan-U.S. relations. She argued that the Japanese government’s response to the issue, during both the Abe era and under current Prime Minister Suga, has been extremely inconsiderate. Noting a recent statement made by the Japanese government on the issue, she argues that the government actively dismisses the testimonies of the actual women who lived through the comfort system and fails to acknowledge why it continues to be an issue. In terms of how this issue is playing out in the bilateral relationship, some argue that the US is on Japan’s side, while others argue that the history issue is one of indications of cracks in the US-Japan alliance. McCarthy noted that current prime minister Suga is making similar calculation to that of Abe and regards the situation in the view that the U.S. is on Japan’s side, and that the U.S. Japan alliance is more important to the US in achieving its goals in the region then is resolving history.
Finally, Phillip Lipscy discussed his co-authored chapter in the book with Trevor Incerti,,which examines both energy issues as well as climate change. On the issue of global climate change cooperation, Japanese leadership was notably absent under Abe. Lipscy noted that in the 1970s, Japan responded quite effectively to the oil shocks and emerged as a leader in energy conservation. In order to do so, however, the Japanese government imposed energy costs on Japanese consumers. By the 1990s, reducing energy consumption became unsustainable as the economy slowed down and there was less willingness of Japanese consumers to bear the cost of these policies. As things unfolded, Japan ended up sharply underperforming other countries in terms of their emissions reductions beginning in the 1990s. It is in this context, Lipscy argued, in which the Abe government came into power and then placed its priority on economic growth to revive Japan's economy. Ultimately, climate change policy was largely sacrificed in the pursuit of economic growth. In contrast, current prime minister Suga quickly declared that Japan would prioritize climate change.
The presentations concluded with a lively Q&A session moderated by Takeo Hoshi.
The Centre would like to thank Takeo Hoshi, Adam Liff, Phillip Lipscy, and Mary M. McCarthy for their engaging and insightful presentation. We would also like to thank the virtual global audience in attendance for their participation and fruitful discussion.
