Japan's Foreign Policy

In 1960 the Japan-United States security treaty was rewritten amidcontroversy and rancor. In the years since, Japan has astonished theworld with her comeback from the status of defeated nation to a majorindustrial nation. This book is a detailed study of Japan's foreignpolicy which guided the nation in its resurgence.

Five years in the preparation, the book examines the three mainpillars of Japanese foreign policy: national prosperity, nationalsecurity and recognition of Japan as an international power. Theauthor's detailed knowledge of Japanese domestic politics providesthe essential background for an understanding of the nation'spursuit of its foreign objectives.

Most of the policy developments described occurred during the primeministerhips of Hayato Ikedo and Eisaku Sato. Included is considerationof the effect on Japan of the Nixon Doctrine, through which the UnitedStates called for greater independence and self-defense on the part ofits allies. Modern Japanese foreign policy is also examined against thechanging balance being sought by leading world powers, as signified byU.S. President Richard Nixon's visits to Peking and Moscow in 1972and, more recently, positive developments towards a peaceful solutionto the Vietnam conflict.

Special emphasis is given to Japan's external economic policies.Japan's Foreign Policy stresses the extent to which thenation's prosperity goal has been a dominant concern, as successivecabinets balanced the economic benefits of the alliance with the U.S.against domestic pacifist pressure and the hostility of Japan'sCommunist neighbours.