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Paper short abstract

Japan is often viewed as a model of good international citizenship, yet its engagement with liberal norms has differed substantially. We argue that Japan's selective norm adoption has enhanced its reputation and economy while contributing to the gradual fragility of the liberal international order.

Paper long abstract

The growing backlash against liberal norms and the international order raises a crucial question: to what extent did self-proclaimed liberal states such as Japan ever truly adopt liberal norms? Rather than attributing the erosion of the international order solely to authoritarian challengers, an increasing amount of research suggests that the biggest threat to liberal norms comes from shallow commitments and symbolic compliance among liberal states themselves (Gao 2023; True 2010). Such practices have made norms such as climate protection and gender equality particularly susceptible to misappropriation or co-optation. Japan, commonly portrayed as a 'civilian power' and a model of good international citizenship, has promoted cooperation, diplomacy and pacifism as defining elements of its post-war middle power identity (Clasen, 2024; Maull et al., 2023; Abbondanza, 2021). However, Japan's engagement with liberal norms, such as human rights, democracy, gender equality and refugee protection, has varied considerably, often remaining largely symbolic (Adachi, 2020; Motoyama, 2020; Flowers, 2009; Gurowitz, 1999). While previous research has examined this selective engagement, this paper considers how long-standing practices of selective and symbolic adoption of norms have benefited Japan, both in terms of its reputation and its economy, over time. It also considers how these practices are being recalibrated in response to the current backlash against liberalism.

Drawing on a discourse analysis of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Blue Books, Ministry of Defence White Papers and speeches delivered at the United Nations Security Council, the paper argues that Japan’s middle-power diplomacy has relied on strategically performing liberal norms in a way that enhances its international standing and economic positioning while simultaneously contributing to the gradual fragility of the international liberal order.