The Problem of Japanese Participation in Peacekeeping

Abstract

The article analyzes the impact of Japan’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping on the country’s domestic and foreign policy. The end of the Cold War highlighted the need to rethink Japanese approaches to foreign policy. Participation in peacekeeping in this context could become a new political tool in Japan’s arsenal. The author, via the analysis of offi cial documents, statements and statistics, examines the issues faced by Japan in its peacekeeping involvement. The author concludes that the participation in peacekeeping has become one of the key steps of the Japanese administration in the ongoing process of “normalization” of Japan, as well as to the formation of a “Middle Power”.