Can It Get Out of Predicament? Japan's Policy towards DPRK Nuclear Issue

Abstract

This study aims to examine Japan's policy towards DPRK nuclear issue. It summarizes current Japan's policy pattern towards DPRK nuclear issue. Japan's entrenched marginal position in the Northeast Asian security architecture fundamentally shaped the outward appearance of Japan's policy towards the DPRK nuclear issue. However, there is still some room for Japan to play out. Some factors determine why current Japan's policy towards DPRK nuclear issue is ineffective. These factors include the following: Japan did not handle its relations with its neighbors China, South Korea, and Russia well, but instead further deteriorated the three pairs of bilateral relations; China, Russia, and North Korea constitute a potential alliance, further increasing the pressure on Japan; Japan's domestic public opinion abducted the government's DPRK policy; The last assumption is that current Japan is a country without nuclear weapons. Japan's willingness and ability to deal with the above issues will determine the future trajectory and effectiveness of its policy towards the DPRK nuclear issue.