Description
(Text)
This study attempts to go beyond the state of the art on the analysis of Japan's soft power. Although Japan's traditional and modern culture have an acclaimed universal appeal, Tokyo's political values and foreign policy legitimacy may be the most important pillars of a successful foreign policy strategy in the context of the contemporary emerging ideological dichotomy of democracy versus authoritarianism. When considering the new emerging regional and global order, a successful soft power strategy that can achieve effective outcomes, i.e. attract foreign publics, needs to highlight political values detached from counter-productive forms of nationalism and incorporate a cosmopolitan approach and a universal democratic appeal. Tokyo seems to have the potential to profit from its liberal political values and the legitimacy that results from almost seventy years of firm pacifist policies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to further understand Japan's soft power in contemporary global politics and, consequently, the perceived role and importance of Japan in 21st century global affairs.
