RELEASE EMBARGO DATE: April 22, 2014 at 9:00 AM

Panel: (Post)-Modern Japan? (G1)
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 / 14:30-15:45
Talking Points for: Miyake Kuni, Ritsumeikan University

For Tokyo the Crisis in Crimea is not “fire on the other side of the river”
– Situation in Ukraine will directly or indirectly impact Japan’s own national security
– If the change of status quo by Russian coercion is acquiesced, it may embolden the Revisionist neighbors to change maritime status quo in the East and South China Sea

Abe’s administration shares the same universal values with the U.S. and E.U.
– Unlike before, passive defense posture may no longer deter the challenges in East Asia

Abe’s proactive pacifism includes:
– Reviewing Guidelines of Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation
– Establishing National Security Council to coordinate Japan’s security policies
– Reviewing Principles of Arms Export to enhance international defense cooperation
– Relaxing constitutional interpretation of the nation’s right to collective self-defense

Tokyo’s pacifism is getting more pro-active and realistic than passive in response to the increasingly nationalistic and assertive challenges on the East Asian waters