Logotyp: till Försvarshögskolans hemsida

Japan is a major power in international society and has a major influence on the region in east Asia but also the entire world. Japan states that the security environment surrounding Japan is severe and this has had an impact on the Japanese security strategy. Since Shinzo Abes’ return to power in 2012, the Japanese security strategy has changed. There is an absence of research with multiple theories regarding Japanese security strategy since 2012. The purpose of this thesis is to provide a deeper understanding for the Japanese security strategy applying two theories from international relations: liberalism and realism. With a one-case study with the method of qualitative text analysing focus on three different documents presented by the Japanese government that represents the Japanese security strategy. With the use of Westberg analysing dimensions on security strategies creates a framework for an operationalization of the liberalism and realism. Results of the study show that Japanese security strategy cannot be explained by only one theory. Both realism and liberalism arguments influence security strategy and its complexity shows that both theories are necessary to gain a more comprehensive view.