This workshop will explore Japan’s evolving strategic response to China’s rise.
The rise of China has fuelled the hopes and kindled the insecurities of many of its neighbours. This is a closed-door book project workshop, that is followed by a public symposium that explores the implications of such a rise by examining Japan’s China policy, because Japan’s approach to China is symptomatic of region-wide trends. Understanding Japan’s strategic outlook offers a window into the complex interplay between economic, political, and security dynamics of the Asia-Pacific.
Through the adoption and enrichment of Neo-Classical Realism theory, Pugliese’s study traces the evolution of political leadership, or lack thereof, in post-war Japan’s China policy, finding that the US and domestic veto players have traditionally constrained Tokyo’s strategic outlook. Twenty-first century Japan’s harsher security predicament and domestic transformations have empowered the prime minister. Upon Abe Shinzo’s comeback to power in 2012, the prime ministerial executive neutralised or co-opted domestic and international veto players, towering over the decision-making machine. 'Team Abe' overhauled Japan’s security regime and developed a Grand Strategy across the diplomatic, information, military, and economic domains (DIME), as encapsulated by the Free and Open Indo-Pacific narrative.
This event will support a book publication, with a closed-door workshop followed by a public symposium on 5 September on the epistemological and institutional challenges to contemporary Area Studies, featuring engagement with established and young scholars across three continents.
This workshop is by invitation only.
At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event.