Japan

This chapter identifies a culturally specific 'Japanese way' of dealing with security issues. It argues that, despite the end of the Cold War, this specific Japanese approach to security continues to be applied to the post-Cold War environment. This policy has been implemented in such a manner as to conform to the general guidelines established in the early 1950s, and which became known as the 'Yoshida Defence Doctrine. The chapter analyses Japan's non-nuclear weapons policy and Japan's participation in the development of the Theatre Missile Defence as these provide examples of how Japan has dealt with issues affecting its security. It explains limitations of adopting a strategic culture approach as the only means for understanding these issues in the context of Japan. The National Defense Program Outline's have played an important role in the postwar period because these have defined the basic defence capability that Japan would seek to maintain in peacetime.