Japan’s normative policy : coalition-building and pragmatism

Abstract

For the past two decades, values and principles have played an important role in Japan’s foreign policy. Value-oriented diplomacy has served as a tool to strengthen the alliance with the US and cement stronger relations with other partners. Values have only gained in significance after the launch of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) concept in 2016. First, a shared normative basis is seen an important facilitator of cooperation and, for Japan, lies at the core of ‘tailored networking’ with partners in the Indo-Pacific. Second, in the context of competition with China, shared values are key in promoting principles such as the rule of law and freedom of navigation, in order to prevent any challenges to the current regional order. Third, they have an important legitimising role, both domestically and externally. At the same time, Japan is keenly aware that an all too strong emphasis on certain values can have an adverse effect. This has resulted in a focus on realism and national interest, but also a very pragmatic respect for different ways of thinking. The latter is imperative in particular in terms of paying more attention to the interests and views of emerging powers and developing countries in an increasingly post-western world.