“Soft Power” in Japan's Security Policy: Implications for Alliance with the United States

Abstract

The concept of “soft power” has begun to appear in publications discussing Japanese perspectives on foreign affairs and on Japanese security and defense policy. This analysis looks at the ongoing Japanese discussion on soft power and considers its implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance. It first discusses the concept, as developed by Joseph Nye, its potentials and limitations as an instrument of national policy. The article then examines how the Japanese are using the concept in discussing their nation's security policy, including some indicators of Japan's soft power. It explores the implications of Japan's interest in expanding its soft power for its security alliance with the United States in the post-9/11 world. The conclusion is that it will be a formidable task for Japan to find an optimal balance between the hard power requirements within the context of the redefined bilateral alliance and the soft power appeals of Japanese culture, domestic achievements, and foreign policy engagements.