Soft Power and Cultural Diplomacy in Northeast Asia

The relevance of this research stems from the theoretical limitations of the classical concept of “soft power” in analyzing pragmatic, state-centered instruments of indirect influence used by Northeast Asian states in contemporary geopolitical competition. The study aimed to provide a theoretical analysis and comparative classification of cultural diplomacy instruments implemented by the People’s Republic of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with particular attention to education, culture, and techno-science. The research used conceptual analysis of key theories of soft, sharp, and normative power, comparative analysis of state strategies, and systematic generalization of theoretical models of techno-nationalism and cultural diplomacy. The study determined that pragmatic models in the region, such as China’s “cultural confidence” and Japan’s “Cool Japan,” differ fundamentally from Western concepts, often transforming soft power into instruments of “hard” ideological control or “techno-nationalist” competition. The analysis revealed a strategic hierarchy of instruments, where mass cultural diplomacy, in particular Korean “Hallyu,” created broad appeal; elite educational programs, such as Japanese government scholarships and Chinese “One Belt, One Road” scholarships, formed long-term networks, and “techno-nationalism,” in particular China’s “China Standards 2035” strategy, was identified as a form of influence aimed at establishing structural dominance. The study concluded that contemporary geopolitical competition is shifting from traditional soft power to a struggle for technological and normative leadership, which creates systemic dependencies. The results provide a refined typology of hybrid models of influence, improving the accuracy of assessment of the long-term consequences of strategies used by global actors.