Playing for safety : Japans̕ security practices

Japan has pursued with vigor and realism a set of security practices based on bleak realism about nuclear war and the vulnerabilities inherent in her geographic and economic position. The fundamental principles are classically conservative: preoccupation with self-interest; rejection of the narcotic of grandeur; and appeals to economic incentives. These underly the pursuit of an interlocking trinity of objectives. Governability emphasizes support for the ruling elite based on delivery of tangible benefits and avoiding offense to popular concerns. Economic performance emphasizes supply and market security. Managing the US contributes to economic performance and helps the ruling elite appear to be indispensable and avoid harsh, internally divisive choices. For all three objectives, a primary strategy is to make the most of countervailing demands (external and internal) to provide policy latitude for Japan). (Internat. Political Science Assoc.)