National sentiments and citizens’ attitudes in Japan toward the use of force against China
| Author | Satoshi Machida |
| Published date | 01 March 2017 |
| Date | 01 March 2017 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/2057891116657899 |
| Subject Matter | Research articles |
Research article
National sentiments
and citizens’ attitudes
in Japan toward the use
of force against China
Satoshi Machida
University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between national sentiments and citizens’ attitudes in Japan
toward the use of force against China. More specifically, the present research explores how
patriotism and nationalism influence citizens’ opinions of using force in defending the Senkaku
Islands. Since nationalism entails a sense of superiority to other states while patriotism does not, it
is possible to hypothesize that it is nationalism, rather than patriotism, that critically boosts citi-
zens’ support for a more hawkish option. The statistical analyses relying on the survey data in Japan
verify this proposition. By dissecting the delicate relationship between national sentiments and
citizens’ attitudes toward the use of force, this study significantly advances our understanding of
Sino-Japanese relations, thus providing critical implications that are highly relevant in the region.
Keywords
nationalism, patriotism, Senkaku Islands, use of force
Introduction
One of the most critical phenomena that has attracted a considerable amount of attention in the
field of international relations is Japan’s pacifist foreign policy after 1945. Following its defeat in
the Second World War, Japan achieved a dramatic economic growth that was historically unpre-
cedented, and the country came to exert significant influence in the world economy. Despite its
economic power, Japan had maintained its pacifist stance in its foreign policy for an extended
period of time (Katzenstein, 1996). In recent years, however, observers have noted that the
Japanese are gradually shifting their ideolog y toward the right, embracing a series of critica l
Corresponding author:
Satoshi Machida, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Founders 2248, 905 West 25th Street, Kearney, NE Nebraska,
68849, USA.
Email: machidas1@u nk.edu
Asian Journal of Comparative Politics
2017, Vol. 2(1) 87–103
ªThe Author(s) 2016
Reprints and permission:
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DOI: 10.1177/2057891116657899
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changes in different fields (Nakano, 201 4). While national pride in Japan had been c arefully
restrained in the post-Second World War era, the Japanese population has become more comfor-
table with expressing a sense of pride in the state (Sasada, 2006). These tendencies suggest that
Japan is going through a fundamental shift in its political arena (Nakano, 2014).
As theJapanese have becomemore outright in expressingtheir nationalpride, Japan’s relationswith
its neighboringstates have been deteriorating. Along withits persistent tension withNorth Korea and
South Korea, Japan’s shaky relations with China have been especially worrisome. One of the most
criticalproblems that has plaguedthe Sino-Japaneserelationship is theissues surroundingthe Senkaku
Islands.
1
Both Japan and China have claimed sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, and the issues
concerningthese islandshave been a sourceof serious conflictbetween these twostates (Su, 2005).The
tension exacerbated substantially when the Japanesegovernment nationalizedthe Senkaku Islands in
2012 (Perilez, 2012). With nationalists in both states advocating firm stances on this problem, the
conflict over the Senkaku Islands has continued to cripple Sino-Japanese relations (Lai, 2013).
As the tension over the Senkaku Islands escalates, the possibility of armed conflict has dramati-
cally increased. In this context, it is imperativeto pay attention to the issue involving the use of force
by the Japanese Self-DefenseForce (SDF). In the post-Second World War era, the possibility that the
SDF would actually use force has been relativelylow due to its pacifist stance prescribed by Article 9
of the Japaneseconstitution. Yet, the restrictions imposed on the SDF have gradually relaxedin recent
years. In addition to piecemeal policy changesthat have empowered the SDF, the Japanese govern-
ment led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe managed to pass a set of security bills that allow the SDF to
engage in extensive activities overseas(Soble, 2015). Given these circumstances, it has now become
reasonable to envision a situation in which the SDF will indeed use force against foreign states.
Recognizing the critical importance of this matter, this stud y further investigates the issue
concerning the use of force by the SDF. The main emphasis of this study is on Japanese citizens’
attitudes toward military actions against China in order to defend the Senkaku Islands. In recent
years, some studies have begun to analyze public opinion regarding the use of force by the SDF.
For instance, a series of surveys in Japan have closely examined public perceptions of territorial
disputes from various angles. Studies have found that citizens’ feelings toward South Korea and
China are closely related to their evaluations of the Japanese government in handling the territorial
disputes with these states (Ida and Sakaiya, 2012; Kohno, 2012). In the same manner, Arai and
Izumikawa (2012) examined how various factors such as political knowledge and age affect
individuals’ preferences on the use of force in Japan. Also, Tanaka (2015) shows that citizens’
economic consideration significantly shapes their stances toward the territorial dispute with South
Korea. Although an increasing number of studies have begun to examine public attitudes toward
military actions, our understanding of this matter still remains incomplete (Tanaka, 2015: 2). One
flaw in the literature is the serious lack of attention to the issue of national sentiments. Scholars
have so far demonstrated the critical importance of nationalism in driving states toward war
(Herrmann et al., 2009; Schrock-Jacobson, 2012; van Evera, 1991).
2
In spite of its critical impor-
tance, very few studies have systematically explored the relationship between nationalism and
public attitudes toward the use of force. Therefore, this study addresses the gap in the literature.
The present research examines how national sentiments in Japan affect individuals’ preferences on
military actions in the issue of the Senkaku Islands. Since the Senkaku Islands have been the focal
point of a potential clash between Japan and China, these islands can serve as a critical case in
which researchers can effectively investigate this matter.
Scholars have suggested that nationalism is a critical factor in determining the relationship
between the two states, and the issue of the Senkaku Islands is deeply related to citizens’ national
88 Asian Journal of Comparative Politics 2(1)
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