Japan’s Grand Strategic Shift from Yoshida to Koizumi: Reflections on Japan’s Strategic Focus in the 21st Century

Tang Siew Man (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, smtang@ukm.my)

Abstract


Postwar Japan had been defined by the Yoshida Doctrine. As a grand strategy, this doctrine, which was aimed at spurring and advancing Japan’s economic development while keeping security commitments to the lowest acceptable level, had reaped enormous benefits and was instrumental in creating the economic mammoth that Japan is today. However, the changing security and political environments attendant with the post-Cold War era is challenging the precepts of the Yoshida Doctrine. This article argues that the Yoshida Doctrine is losing support, and it its wake the newly christened Koizumi Doctrine is a more accurate approximation of Japan’s emerging grand strategy. The new grand strategy is concerned with (1) achieving structural power, (2) preserving national tranquility, and (3) maintaining Japan’s economic competitiveness. The shift from the Yoshida Doctrine to the Koizumi Doctrine is a manifestation of Japan’s aspirations and perception of vulnerabilities in the context of domestic and international developments.

ABSTRAK

Doktrin Yoshida merupakan strategi utama yang dilaksanakan Jepun sejurus Amerika Syarikat mengembalikan tampuk pemerintahan kepada Jepun. Doktrin ini menjurus kepada pembangunan dan kemakmuran ekonomi, di samping menghadkan komitmen dan perbelanjaan ketenteraan ke tahap yang paling minima. Penghayatan doktrin ini telah berjaya memacu Jepun menjadi gergasi ekonomi dunia. Namun demikian, keberkesanan dan kerelevenan doktrin ini mula dipertikaikan apabila berhadapan dengan perkembangan dan perubahan strategik dan politik antarabangsa dalam era pasca-Perang Dingin. Malahan, sokongan kepada doktrin ini semakin lemah. Artikel ini menampilkan hujah bahawa Doktrin Koizumi merupakan strategi utama yang lebih sesuai dengan peredaran masa dan keperluan semasa Jepun. Strategi utama baru ini mengandungi tiga matlamat: (1) kuasa struktural, (2) keharmonian nasional, dan (3) tahap kompetitif ekonomi Jepun. Perubahan dari Doktrin Yoshida ke Doktrin Koizumi ini menggambarkan aspirasi Jepun serta reaksinya terhadap persepsi ancaman sejajar dengan perkembangan dalam negara dan antarabangsa.


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