As geopolitical tensions rise in the Asia-Pacific, the relationship between Japan and China remains key to regional stability. This paper analyses 36 articles by Japanese international security experts from academia and the Ministry of Defense focusing on issues related to China. The selected articles come from a larger pool of 372 publications released between 2008 and 2023 by the Japan Association for International Security. Using a Critical Security Studies lens, the paper explores strategic interactions in military, economic, and cybersecurity domains, along with international alliances, energy and environmental security, and soft power dynamics. Key findings reveal that Japan has developed its military strategies primarily in response to China’s assertiveness, its economic dependencies, and the cybersecurity challenges it poses, as well as its strategic use of energy diplomacy and soft power. Additionally, the findings reveal that Japanese analysts stress the need for alignment with the U.S. and fostering regional ollaborations to counterbalance China’s influence. This paper underscores the necessity for Japan to adapt its foreign policy continually to maintain regional stability amidst increasing geopolitical complexities.
John McLean (Mon,) studied this question.
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