Japanese Foreign Intelligence and Grand Strategy: From the Cold War to the Abe Era

Japanese foreign intelligence is unique, with civilian control over key capabilities and no centralized agency. This book explores how Japan's experiences of WWII and its role as a US ally have shaped its foreign intelligence practices, focusing on bilateralism, developmentalism, technonationalism, and antimilitarism. It also examines how shifts in the international, regional, and domestic policy environments have led to a reassessment of national security strategy under former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2021
Publisher: Georgetown University Press

Japanese foreign intelligence stands out in several ways. Unlike many nations, Japan does not have a centralized foreign intelligence agency that sends agents abroad for espionage. Moreover, Japan is renowned for maintaining civilian control over critical capabilities in human and signals intelligence.

Japanese Foreign Intelligence and Grand Strategy delves into the intricate nature of Japan's foreign intelligence institutions, practices, and capabilities across the economic, political, and military domains. It explores how these aspects have evolved over time, influenced by Japan's experiences during the Second World War and its subsequent role as a major US ally.

Brad Williams begins by examining how Japan's wartime experiences and its emergence as a significant US ally shaped its adoption of bilateralism, developmentalism, technonationalism, and antimilitarism as key norms. These norms guided Japan's intelligence-gathering efforts during the Cold War, with a primary focus on enhancing its position in the global economy.

Williams then takes his analysis into the contemporary era, particularly focusing on the period under former prime minister Shinzo Abe. Shifts in the international, regional, and domestic policy environments in the twenty-first century have prompted a gradual reassessment of national security strategy in Japan. As Japan reevaluates its old norms in the face of regional security challenges, the book concludes by detailing how the country is beginning to rethink the size, shape, and purpose of its intelligence community.

This important contribution to our understanding of Japan's intelligence capabilities and strategy will be of interest to anyone engaged in Japanese intelligence, security, or international relations. It sheds light on the unique aspects of Japan's foreign intelligence landscape and provides valuable insights into how these capabilities have evolved and adapted to changing circumstances over time.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647120641