Japan's Ocean Policy
Still the Reactive State
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2854868 |
|---|---|
| Authors | James Manicom (University of Toronto, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2010 |
| Volume | 83 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 307-326 |
| Publication date | 2010-06-18 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Pacific Affairs (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0030-851X • E-ISSN: 1715-3379 |
| Publisher | Pacific Affairs (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.5509/2010832307 |
| OpenAlex | W2335707827 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
In 2005-06 Japan's strategic posture towards its maritime domain underwent a dramatic shift. Japan began asserting the jurisdictional rights to its maritime territory with greater authority than ever before. Tokyo prepared to conduct exploratory drilling in the disputed East China Sea and passed new laws to capitalize on Japan's maritime rights and responsibilities.1 This activist turn appears to be at odds with most explanations of Japanese strategic policy. Some have described Japan's strategic evolution as a kata: the measured and gradual expansion of the capabilities, doctrine and missions of Japan's Self-Defence Forces (SDF) ? This pace is a compromise between those who favour a more normal military posture and those that emphasize Japan's pacifist norms and its internationalism.3 Given this preference for strategic evolution, Japan's sudden preoccupation with the security and administration of its extended maritime zones?the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its extended continental shelf? following years of neglect, is striking. In April 2007, over ten years after it ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Japan passed the Basic Ocean Law that created a new ministry and spelled out Japan's attitude toward its maritime domain. Prior to these events, ocean policy suffered from a case of benign neglect. Although Japan passed an EEZ law as part of its UNCLOS ratification in 1996, its policy initiatives towards its extended maritime environment have lagged behind those if its neighbours, particularly China. Moreover, Japan tolerates a degree of maritime provocation from its neighbours that belies its conventional maritime force superiority.4 This reluctance to assert its jurisdictional entitlements under
Political science · State (computer science) · Computer Science · Economic Zones and Regional Development · International Maritime Law Issues · Maritime Security and History
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,15 |
| Citation span | 2013 - 2020 (8) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |