The rise of the Chinese 'Other' in Japan's construction of identity: Is China a focal point of Japanese nationalism?

Since 1945, the United States (US) has served as a focal point of both Left-wing and Right-wing Japanese nationalism. Both sides argued that the US was an arrogant hegemon that unjustly robbed Japan of its autonomy, and prevented Japan from achieving its own ideal national identity. Both sides frequ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pacific review 2015-01, Vol.28 (1), p.95-116
Main Author: Suzuki, Shogo
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autonomy
China
China (People's Republic)
Concessions
Diplomacy
Government
Government Policy
Identity
Japan
Left Wing Politics
National Identity
Nationalism
Peoples Republic of China
Rhetoric
Right and Left
Sino-Japanese relations
United States
United States of America
Values
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Summary:Since 1945, the United States (US) has served as a focal point of both Left-wing and Right-wing Japanese nationalism. Both sides argued that the US was an arrogant hegemon that unjustly robbed Japan of its autonomy, and prevented Japan from achieving its own ideal national identity. Both sides frequently demanded that Japan should be more 'resolute' and resist unfair demands emanating from the US. In recent years, however, both camps are increasingly using the same rhetoric to criticise the Japanese government's China policy. China is also being depicted as an overbearing state that unfairly browbeats Japan into making diplomatic concessions. Given the similarities between the portrayal of China and the US, has China now become a nationalist focal point for both the Japanese Left and Right? Utilising constructivist insights, this article seeks to shed light on this question, by examining how the Japanese Right and Left portray China, and explores the implications for Japan's China policy.
ISSN:0951-2748
1470-1332
DOI:10.1080/09512748.2014.970049