ABSTRACT

This chapter examines domestic factors that have affected Japan's choice of policy toward North Korea, while also touching on international factors in order to show the relative importance of domestic factors. Soon after the Cold War, Japan started talks with North Korea in the context of improved relations between North Korea and South Korea (ROK) that had led to President Roh Tae-woo's statement of his willingness to promote improvement in North Korea's relations with the United States and Japan on July 7, 1988. The United States, North Korea, South Korea, and China have significantly affected Japan's North Korea policy. The Japanese government has tended to adopt a hardline policy toward North Korea. Proponents of hardline policy have particular dispositions and motivations. Another possible motivation of the supporters of hardline policy toward North Korea is economic: to serve business interests. Sometimes, one's policy choice is influenced by one's historical view. That seems to be the case with many hardliners.