Japan’s New Security Perspective on Humanitarian Assistance

Abstract

Japan’s new Development Cooperation Charter in 2015 clearly shows Japan’s sustained development-centered approach in its external commitments. Is such a position of Japan changing? The answer is Yes and No. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) administrations after its coming back to power in 2012 emphasize strategic usage of foreign aids aiming ‘peace, stability and prosperity of the world including Japan.’ The security environment in North East Asia is the main reason for emphasizing the strategic aspects. Also, Many LDP politicians, headed by former Prime Minister Abe, have long-cherished aspiration to modify the constitution and bring Japan back to the ‘normal country’ changing the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) into a constitutional and legal military. Contributions to the UN Peacekeeping operations and the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities are two policy areas to which LDP administrations may increase the commitments of the JSDF as that might be a way to increase its legitimacy. This paper concludes that LDP administrations are streamlining its foreign commitments under a more strategic principle, but that change is in a low-key manner as they see the possibility of negative reactions from domestic public.