Origin of Japan’s Relations with Middle Eastern Countries by Practical Internationalism

Abstract

Japan’s Middle East goals and strategies have been difficult to understand, except its desire for energy supply security. In fact, Japan’s Middle East policy has shifted drastically, with a unique principle of non-use of force. Although this seems like a lack of strategy in one way, Japan managed to opt for practical and flexible policy options in the Middle East. At least diplomatic experts in Egypt, Israel and Saudi Arabia are in high favour of Japan. Yasumasa Kuroda surprisingly pointed out that Japan’s Middle East policy did not follow US requests at the First Oil Shock and the Gulf War in 1990–1991. Thus, Japan’s relative autonomy in Middle East diplomacy is the focus of analysis in this chapter. The analysis is based on citations from primary sources, such as memoirs and government reports. Five streams of diplomatic orientation within Japan’s policy-making circle—mercantilists, pacifists, middle-power internationalists, normal-nation internationalists and new nationalists—are clarified by examining the political trends of major prime ministers. Seven features of Japan’s Middle East policy stemming from practical internationalism are summarised.