Author: Dmitry Streltsov, Department of Asian and African Studies, MGIMO University

Abstract: »The chapter attempts to analyse the “diplomacy of apologies” in the foreign policy of post-War Japan from the international political and domestic political dimensions. The emphasis is placed on the role and place of this diplomacy in Japan’s relations with China and South Korea, in which it continues to be the most important tool for regulating the degree of tension in conditions of high conflict potential. The chapter shows that the “diplomacy of apologies” played an important role in Tokyo’s post-War policy of reconciliation with East Asian countries. However, this policy was not completely successful, largely due to the partners’ dissatisfaction with the excessively soft forms of apologetic language on the part of Japanese officials, as well as, in their opinion, a lack of remorse in their words. In Japan, on the contrary, it is believed that the constant introduction of the issue of apologies into the diplomatic agenda is based on cynical political calculations and has nothing to do with the search for historical justice. The relevance of the issue of apologies has increased significantly since the end of the Cold War. The fact that South Korea and China were closing the gap on Japan in terms of economic power, coupled with the growing interdependence of the East Asian economies, played a role, allowing the two countries to actively use the “economic map” to exert pressure on Japan with regard to issues of the historical past.« (Source: Taylor & Francis Online)

Contents:

	Post-War Development of the “Apology Diplomacy” (p. 142)
	The “Diplomacy of Apologies” in the Post-Bipolar Period (p. 148)
	The Current State of the “Apology Diplomacy” (p. 155)
	Notes (p. 159)
	References (p. 160)
		In Russian (p. 160)
		In English (p. 160)

Wikipedia: History of Asia: History of Japan / Shōwa era, Heisei era | Diplomacy: Bilateral relations of Japan | Prostitution: Forced prostitution / Comfort women | Sex and the law: Wartime sexual violence / Wartime sexual violence in World War II | War: Pacific War / Japanese war crimes