Japanese debates on Asia and Asianism: a conceptual framework

Abstract

This article analyzes discussions about Asia in Japan since the mid-1980s, offering a conceptual framework for understanding the contours of this debate. The article identifies three normative positions among participants: those advocating the replication of a Japanese model in Asia, those in favor of a genuine community of Asians, and those who see engagement with Asia as the only solution for the country’s economic and social problems. The article argues that globalization and regionalization have been key influences in the evolution of the Asia debate in Japan. Indeed, although Japan remains a very insular country in many ways and although political obstacles persist, the growing richness and complexity of the debate over time may indicate a more multidimensional approach to Asia in the country, which sees beyond immediate geopolitical and economic imperatives.