Paper short abstract:

By examining National Diet debates, this paper analyzes the narrative of "shared values" with Japan's international allies, a narrative that has come to constitute a hallmark of Japan’s diplomacy but is applied selectively, as is illustrated by Japan’s deteriorated relations with South Korea.

Paper long abstract:

During the government of Shinzo Abe, there was new life given to narratives of shared values around democratic norms between Japan and countries like the United States, India, and Australia, as well as the European Union. These culturally and politically distinct countries made, and still make, summit statements about their shared commitments to democracy, the rule of law and human rights; tie strategic partnership agreements affirming their likemindedness; and engage in new security cooperation frameworks based in notions of similarities in values, and to defend democratic norms. In other instances, shared values are increasingly toned down, as in the souring relationship between Japan and South Korea. This raises the question of what motivates Japan’s leaders to promote national narratives of shared values on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and how to understand them. This paper will unpack these narratives during the government of Shinzo Abe (2012-2000) vis-á-vis the other countries in the “Quad”: Australia, India, and the United States; the EU; and South Korea. The paper will analyze debates in the National Diet during the Abe government to identify similarities and differences between the way in which ruling and opposition party MPs and government ministers talk about democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in the context of alliance policy vis-á-vis the above countries. The paper will zero in on how often these concepts are officially mentioned, how they are defined and, where applicable, what the promoters of the “shared values narrative” believe needs to be done by Japan and in concert with allies to defend or advance these concepts. The paper aims to provide a piece to the puzzle of a selective use of narratives in Japan’s international relations, and contribute to a research agenda that explores the advancement of international narratives from several key advocates, among these National Diet members.