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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 May 2025
It is widely assumed that the Japan-U.S. military alliance plays a key role in securing peace in Northeast Asia. It not only shores up procedural democracy in Japan and South Korea but also assures Japan's neighbors, China in particular, of Japan's commitment to pacifism. Close analysis of the current stage of neonationalism and neoliberal austerity economics in Japan, as exemplified by the government that recently took over in Tokyo, conveys a different impression.
1 Material in this paragraph is taken from sociologist Oguma Eiji, “’Nihon o, torimodosu’ ga uketa honto no riyu——seiji o kangaeru,” JAPAN GQ, Feb. 4, 2013.
2 Miyano Masaru, “2012-nen shuinsen kekka no hitotsu no mikata,” ChuoOnline, Daily Yomiuri.
3 Amaki Naohito, “Maebara giin ni yoru TPP kosho urabanashi no bakuro to Abe shusho no robai,” Amaki Naohito Newsletter, Nos. 180-2, March 12, 2013.
4 Yahoo! Japan, Chiebukuro, No.-Dec., 2011; Sankei nyusu, 2012.
5 Richard J. Samuels, “Kishi and Corruption: An Anatomy of the 1955 System,”, Japan Policy Research Institute, Working Paper No. 83, Dec. 2001.
6 Linda Seig, “Japan's Shinzo Abe: comeback kid with conservative agenda,” Reuters.com, Dec. 14, 2013.
“Political Dynasties: Taro Aso,” May 27, 2007.
7 Many examples can be cited showing how the alliance endangers mainly the lives and property of Okinawans and sharpens the divide between Okinawans and other Japanese citizens.
8 Nihon keizai shimbun, March 15, 2013, posted at “http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFS0102P_R00C12A3PE8000/
9 See the critique of the Japan Lawyers Association for Freedom (Jiyu hosodan), August 2012.
10 Okinawa Times, March 14, 2013.
11 “Jimin, shuinsen e ‘Tanigaki dokutorin’ kenpo kaisei, zaisei saiken o meiki,” Nihon keizai shimbun, Marcch 14, 2013
12 “Kenpo ni kinkyu jitai joko o——Jimin, Ishibashi, Sendai-shi de,” Nihon keizai shimbun, March 10, 2013. Ishiba argues that when the very existence of the state is at stake, it is only natural that any country will temporarily restrict the people's rights in order to defend life and property.
13 Yoshii Hidekatsu, “Genpatsu ‘anzen shinwa’ hansei shinai Jiminto to Amari, moto keizaisho,” posted at his website
14 A sign of the latter is the huge fine of about 11 million yen in “damages” that Abe's Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry has demanded of two leaders of a protest group that pitched a tent in front of the ministry and criticized the new government's nuclear policies. Asahi shimbun, Marcch 21, 2013.
15 Japan's Abe seeks to show off alliance, gets Obama's nod on Abenomics,” posted Feb. 21, 2013 at NewsCred.
16 Richard Katz, “More Sizzle Than Steak,” International Economy, Winter 2013, p. 67.
17 Katz, p. 69.
18 Nakasone saw through the privatization of the Japan National Railway (JNR) and Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NKK) but he allowed public services and social welfare expenditures to grow. The primary beneficiary of his subsidies allocated for public works was the LDP's longtime supporter, the construction industry. Takaaki Suzuki, Japan's Budget Politics: Balancing Domestic and International Interests (Lynne Reiner Publishers, 2000), p. 181.
19 J. Sean Curtin, “Japan, land of rising poverty,” Asia Times on line, posted Feb. 11, 2005.
20 “Japan's New Data on Poverty Rate Released,” Japan Times, Jan. 26, 2010; Justin Dye, “Japan Poverty Rate at a Record High,” Foreign Policy Association, July 14, 2011; Martin Fackler, “Japan Tries to Face Up to Growing Poverty Problem,” New York Times, April 21, 2010).
21 Daniel Stedman Jones, Masters of the Universe: Hayek, Friedman, and the Birth of Neoliberal Politics (Princeton Univ. Press.2013), p. 121.
22 This paragraph draws on Stedman Jones, Masters of the Universe, pp. 333-337.
23 Norman Solomon, “Digital Grab: Corporate Power Has Seized the Internet,” Common Dreams, March 28, 2013.
24 Stedman Jones, Masters of the Universe, p. 335.
25 Professor Watanabe Osamu in numerous books, articles, and public lectures has fully explored the similarities and differences between Japanese an Western neoliberalism.
26 John Queally, “Activists on Both Sides of Atlantic Denounce US/EU FTA s Corporate Power Grab,” Common Dreams (April 3, 2013).
27 “Breaking ‘08 Pledge, Leaked Trade Doc Shows Obama Wants to Help Corporations Avoid Regulations,” Amy Goodman Democracy Now! interview of Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, June 14, 2012; Chrystal Tacker, “Trans-Pacific Partnership, a ‘global corporate takeover’” Creative Loafing Tampa, March 10, 2013.
28 Lori Wallach, “NAFTA on Steroids,” The Nation, July 16-23. 2012.
29 “Outline of TPP Agreement, Press Release of the U.S. Trade Representative, Nov. 13, 2011.
30 Ilana Solomon, “Does Fracking Make You Queasy? So Will the Trans-Pacific Pact,” posted March 15, 2013
31 Matt Vasilogambros, “Mr. Abe Goes To Washington: Japan PMTalks Autos, North Korea with President Obama,” National Journal (Feb. 22, 2013).
32 Mainichi Daily News, Feb. 23, 2013; on the Nov. 2011 “Outline of TPP Agreement,”
33 Dean Baker, “As Profit Shares Hit New Highs, Washington Focuses on Abuse of Disabilities,” Truthout, April 1, 2013.
34 I am indebted to Bruce Cummings for these estimates. The North never disclosed its losses. See Cuming, “Korean War Games,” The Nation, April 3, 2013, posted at http://www.thenation.com/article/173657/korean-war-games#
35 Amaki Naohito, “Nihon yori Bei-koku no boei o yusen suru Nichi-Bei domei no shotai o shimesu ugokanu shoko,” Amaki Naoto Newsletter, No. 176, March 11, 2013; “X-ban radar system eyed for Kyoto Prefecture,” Daily Yomiuri on line, Feb. 23, 2013.
36 Jane Perlez, “China Names New Team to Secure Its Place in Asia and Face US. Competition,” New York Times, March 16, 2013.
37 Nearly a month after Abe's visit to the White House speculation surfaced in Tokyo that he would curb his historical revisionist rhetoric. It started with an interview Abe gave to a South Korean monthly magazine, Geppo Chosen, on March 18, suggesting that at least on the issue of sexual slavery his public position would change, though not until 2015. See Amaki Naohito, “Ianjo danwa no minaoshi o hoki saserareta Abe Shuso,” in Amaki Naohito Newsletter, No. 192, March 19, 2013.
38 Emma Chanlett-Avery, Mark E. Manyin, William H. Cooper, Ian E. Rinehart, “Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress,” Congressional Research Service Report for Congress, Feb. 15, 2013.
39 Jim Lobe, “Libyan Intervention More Questionable in Rear View Mirror,” Inter Press Service News Agency, April 5, 2013.
40 Ben McLannahan, Jonathan Soble, Josh Noble, “Japan starts monetary revolution,” Financial Times, April 5, 2013.
41 Chris Giles, “Central banks loath to follow Japan's ‘massive’ revolution,” Financial Times, April 5, 2013; Bill Holter, “Quantitative Easing?”
42 Robin Wigglesworth and Alice Ross, “BoJ plan sparks fall in Europe bond yields,” Financial Times, April 9, 2013.
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