Japan’s Peacebuilding under the Abe Administration: Change and Continuity, 2012–2020

Abstract

This article traces the developments in Japan’s peacebuilding policy in Abe Shinzo’s second term (2012–2020) and presents illustrative case studies to highlight the change and continuity that occurred during this period. Although Abe is internationally known for launching a new doctrine of “active pacifism”, his reforms in international peace cooperation policy incrementally built upon the existing discourses and practices. Abe’s vision of a more proactive peacebuilding policy has also been heavily circumscribed by Japan’s Constitution.

Recent Developments in Japan’s International Peace Cooperation Under the Second Abe Government 2012–2020

“…The second Abe administration also emphasized a move toward "integration" as expressed in the National Security Strategy and in the Development Cooperation Charter (Uesugi et al, 2021). The Abe government not only promoted the "All Japan" approach along these lines, but also intended to utilize the SDF's engineering capability, as expressed at the Leaders' Summit on Peacekeeping in New York, in both 2014 and 2015 (Cabinet Secretariat, 2015).…”