National sentiments and citizens’ attitudes in Japan toward the use of force against China

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 citizens’ 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.

Mutual Cooperation Based Go Green: New Concept of Defense Country

“…This is in line with research that nationalism and patriotism can motivate citizens and can help generate a sense of solidarity and responsibility [3]. Patriotism becomes an element of personal identity the most important is the commitment to joint participation in doing the same activities based on the same perception [38].…”

Southeast Asia under Great-Power Competition: Public Opinion About Hedging in the Philippines

“…First, the post-Cold War era has seen the reemergence of nationalism in Asia as a result of an opening up of ideological space, lingering territorial disputes, and shifts in the regional power structure (Gries 2004;Lee 2007;Vu 2013). Compared with the earlier nationalist movements in the mid-twentieth century aimed at independence from colonial rule, the new nationalism has sought to assert national identity, exercise independent foreign policy, and defend national territories (Bui 2017;Cotillon 2017;Lee 2007;Machida 2017;Noor and Qistina 2017;Tønnesson 2016;Vu 2013). Second, a wave of political liberalization and democratization in Asia during the period has expanded mass participation in politics (Laksmana 2017;Lee 2007;Murphy 2017;Syailendra 2017;Vu 2013).…”

“…While foreign policy making has traditionally been within the exclusive purview of government elites, the rise of nationalism in Asia since the end of the Cold War, combined with a wave of democratization in the region and the advancement of communication technologies, have brought mass participation into the foreign policy-making process (Heydarian 2017;Laksmana 2017;Lee 2007;Montiel and Dela Paz 2020;Montiel et al 2014;Tønnesson 2016;Vu 2013). In particular, the SCS territorial disputes have generated strong public reactions in countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam, which may put pressure on the governments to forge closer security ties with the United States to balance against China (Bui 2017;Machida 2017;Noor and Qistina 2017). Thus, understanding public attitudes toward the hedging strategy can provide important insights on the choice and durability of this strategy.…”

Is Japan Back? Measuring Nationalism and Military Assertiveness in Asia's Other Great Power

“…Our article contributes to debates about Japanese nationalism by operationalizing the concept, measuring it across time and space, and introducing new data (leaders' speeches). Drawing upon social identity theory, we also contribute to the debate by distinguishing nationalism from patriotism, a distinction that we argue is vital for advancing the debate about Japanese identity (Machida 2017;Karasawa 2002).…”

“…6 Nationalism has long been seen as a cause of political violence (Cottam and Cottam 2001;Van Evera 1994). But scholars have examined the extent to which some kinds of national identity are or are not associated with violence (Machida 2017;Karasawa 2002;Schrock-Jacobsen 2009;Snyder 2000). Kosterman and Feschbach (1989) distinguish "between nationalism as a jingoistic cause of war and patriotism as a healthy national self-concept"; Druckman (1994, 60, 48) says it is possible "to have pride, patriotism in one's nation while still recognizing its shortcomings and being willing to cooperate with, and perhaps even include other nations in one's ingroup."…”