Japan’s Foreign Policy in Transition: The Way Forward for Japan as an International Actor in a World in Flux

WORKSHOP

Friday, February 11, 2011, 09:30-16:00 with:

Dr. Reinhard Drifte
Dr. Guibourg Delamotte
Professor Marie Söderberg
Dr. Kazuki Iwanaga
Dr. Bert Edström

The system of international relations that was born as a result of the outcome of the Second World War is changing. A multipolar system is emerging with previously non-important international actors, trends and tendencies taking on a new importance. The transformation on the regional and global levels seen in recent decades has had – and will continue to have – extensive impact on Japan.  With China’s and India’s emergence in recent years, Japan has seen its status wane from being the economic leader in the region to one economic power among others. In domestic politics, far-reaching changes might be on their way, after the landslide victory of the Democratic Party in the 2009 election which forced the LDP into opposition after having ruled Japan for almost 54 years. What effects will the ongoing transformation of international politics and the upheaval in domestic politics have on Japan’s foreign policy? This is the focus of this one-day workshop.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Martina Klimesova at mklimesova@isdp.eu

Speakers

Dr. Reinhard Drifte, Professor emeritus, Newcastle University

Dr. Guibourg Delamotte, Research Fellow, Asia Centre, Sciences Po, Paris

Professor Marie Söderberg, European Institute of Japanese Studies, Stockholm School of Economics

Dr. Kazuki Iwanaga, Senior Lecturer of Political Science, Halmstad University College

Dr. Bert Edström, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Security and Development Policy

Program

09:30-09:45

Welcoming remarks by  representative of ISDP
Opening address by Ms. Charlotta Ozaki Macias, Deputy Director, Department for Asia and the Pacific, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

09:45-10:15

“Introduction: The Yoshida Doctrine in Unchartered Waters” — Dr. Bert Edström, Senior Research Fellow, ISDP

10:15-11:00

“China and the U.S. in the DPJ Diplomacy” Dr. Guibourg Delamotte, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Japanese Studies, National Institute of Oriental Studies, Inalco, Research Fellow, CEJ, Adjunct Fellow CRCAO and Asia Centre

11:00-11.45

“Japan-China: The Complexities of Interdependence” — Dr. Reinhard Drifte, Emeritus Professor, Newcastle University

11.45-12:00

“Comment: Climate Change, Environment and Japan’s Foreign Policy” — Dr. Sangsoo Lee, Senior Research Fellow, ISDP

LUNCH BREAK

13:15-14:00

“Japanese Peace Building through ODA” — Dr. Marie Söderberg, Professor and Director, European Institute of Japanese Studies, Stockholm School of Economics

14:00-14:45 “Paradigm Lost? Dysfunctionalities in Japan’s Foreign Policy” — Dr. Kazuki Iwanaga, Senior Lecturer, Halmstad University College

COFFEE BREAK

15:00-16:00

General discussion

16:00

Closing