TYLA: Japan's process of enhancing its international role from 2001 to 2006

Author name: Dang Hoang Ha

Thesis title:Japan's process of enhancing its international role from 2001 to 2006

Specialized:International RelationsCode:62 31 02 06

Name of Postgraduate training unit:University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi

1. Purpose and research objects of the thesis

1.1.Purpose of the thesis:

The purpose of the thesis is to analyze the adjustments of Japan's economic, defense, and foreign policies in the early years of the 21st century to clarify the process of Japan's enhancement of its international role from 2001 to 2016. From there, we can better understand the method of enhancing a country's international role, and assess the impacts and consequences of this Japanese policy on international relations in the region.

1.2. Research subjectsof the thesis:Japan's process of enhancing its international role from 2001 to 2016

2. Research methods used

Thesis usehistorical method, chaining the main events that impacted and influenced the process of enhancing Japan's international role since 2001.

Statistical methodsplays an important role and statistics are also evidence for the judgments for the project.

Comparative methodused to show the changing, enhanced international role of Japan.

3. Main results and conclusions

3.1. Main results

Japan gradually overcame most of the self-imposed defense restrictions it had imposed after World War II. Its role was recognized and welcomed. Japan's influence in East Asian security affairs gradually increased.

Japan's presence in the region is important, especially in vulnerable Southeast Asian countries, to balance China's influence.

As a stable democracy, with a highly educated and healthy population, low crime rates, and long-standing efforts to tackle environmental pollution, Japan is seen as a benchmark for many Asian countries. Its moderate international policies and minimal overseas military activities combined with its generous foreign aid have made Japan an admired nation in Asia.

3.2. Conclusion

Japan continues to enhance its role. Upgrading and expanding Japan’s defense role is a fundamental goal. However, defense is not everything. Japan needs to implement a comprehensive strategy that combines specific strategies in the fields of economy, diplomacy, security-defense, culture, etc.

Japan’s pursuit of a broader strategic vision has a huge impact on international relations and national policies, and could be a welcome game changer for Asia-Pacific security.

                                                                  SUMMARY OF DOCTORAL THESIS

The author's name:Dang Hoang Ha

Thesis title:The process of Japan raising its international role from 2001 to 2006

Major:International RelationsCode:62 31 02 06

The name of postgraduate training institution:VNU University of Social Sciences and Humanities

1. Thesis purpose and objectives

The purpose of the thesis is to clarify the process that Japan enhances its international role from 2001 to 2016 by analyzing the adjustments in Japan's economic, defense and foreign policies in the early years of the 21^stcentury. Thus, we gain a better understanding of how a nation enhances its international role and then assess the influences as well as consequences of these policies from Japan to the international relations of the surrounding region.

The thesis' objective is the process that Japan enhances its international role from 2001 to 2016.

2. Research methods

Chronology is used to chain the main events which impact the process of enhancing the international role of Japan since 2001.

Statistical methods play an important role since the reasoning in our work is aptly illustrated by the data.

A comparative method is used to demonstrate the changes and enhancement of Japan's international role.

3. Major results and conclusions

3.1.The major results

Japan has gradually overcome most of the restrictions of the national defense, imposed by itself after World War II. Japan's role is acknowledged and appreciated. Its influences in East Asian security have gradually increased.

Japan is expected to have a crucial role in the region, especially for the Southeast Asian countries, which are, in essence, vulnerable, to balance with China's influence.

Japan has long been considered the ideal for many Asian countries for its stable democracy, well-educated and healthy people, low crime rates and solving environmental issues. Moderate international policies, minimal overseas military operations, combined with its generous foreign aid have made Japan an admired nation in Asia.

3.2.Conclusions

Japan continues the process of advancing its role. Elevating and expanding the role of Japan's defense is the basic goal. However, defense capability is not everything. Japan needs to implement a strategic integration of fields like economy, diplomacy, security - defense, culture...

The pursuit of a broader strategic vision of Japan greatly affects the nation's international relations and national policies. This could be a factor which possibly changes the beneficial game of Asia-Pacific regional security.