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Paper short abstract

This study compares the responses of Japan and Germany to the Russian invasions of Ukraine in 2014 and 2022, considering their post-war security identities as liberal democracies with a reluctance to use military force in foreign policy.

Paper long abstract

Japan and Germany have had many similar issues to face in the post-war period in their international relations. Both have experienced economic growth under the US-security umbrella, and both have been reluctant to abandon anti-war foreign policies. However, in recent years both countries have had to face increasing tensions due to actions of authoritarian states with which they have built up important economic ties. Although China has been posing serious challenges in terms of its economic competition and hybrid security threats to both Germany and Japan, it is Russia which both Germany and Japan have had to deal with in a more direct manner, due to its actual invasions of Ukraine and security threats to several other countries. This comparative study investigates points of similarity or difference which may help to understand how the two liberal democracies have responded to challenges from authoritarian governments in their near neighbourhoods during the time period of 2014 to 2023. The focus of this comparative study will be on both countries’ responses to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, but at the same time it is also be useful to consider their parallel responses to China’s more subtle challenges under the Xi administration. The study argues that while Japan has been preparing for longer than Germany in terms of rhetoric and policy changes to deal with potential problems of reliance on authoritarian states, its precarious finances and lower economic growth mean that it has been in a weaker position than Germany to actually act on the rhetoric and respond to the perceived threats. However, both countries have exhibited caution in strengthening their security postures, based on their post-war security identities.

Keywords: Japan Germany comparative security identity