The ‘abnormal’ state: Identity, norm/exception and Japan

Abstract

The term ‘abnormal’ has frequently been used to describe post-war Japan. Together with the idea that the country will, or should have to, ‘normalise’ its foreign and security policy, it has been reproduced in both academia and Japanese society. Why is Japan branded as ‘abnormal’, and from where does the desire to ‘normalise’ it come? Drawing on a relational concept of identity, and the distinction between norm and exception, this article argues that the ‘abnormality–normalisation nexus’ can be understood in terms of three identity-producing processes: (1) the process whereby the Japanese Self is socialised in US/‘Western’ norms, ultimately constructing it as an Other in the international system; (2) the process whereby the Japanese Self imagines itself as ‘legitimately exceptional’ (what is called ‘exceptionalisation’), but also ‘illegitimately abnormal’ — both of which are epitomised by Japan’s ‘pacifism’; and (3) the process whereby both the Self’s ‘negative abnormality’ and China/Asia are securitised in attempts to realise a more ‘normal’ (or super-normal) Japanese Self. How Japan is inter subjectively constructed on a scale between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ enables and constrains action. Although Japan has not remilitarised nearly as much in the 2000s as is often claimed, these processes might very well forebode an exceptional decision to become ‘normal’ and therefore more significant steps towards remilitarisation.

Regional powers and the politics of scale

“…As a sprawling transnational conglomerate, the Murdoch media space was uniquely placed to amplify climate-sceptic voices through multiple mediums and developed remarkably close relationships with the Coalition upon which successive PMs came to rely for positive coverage. For example, before departing for the pivotal 2019 PIF meeting, Morrison's office reassured listeners on popular right-wing radio host Alan Jones' breakfast show that Australia would take a tough stance at the meeting, and that any aid pledged at the meeting would not mean new expenses (Greenpeace 2019). This demonstrates how this media ecosystem, in particular Sky News, shaped Australia's regional powerhood.…”

“…In the 2019 PIF meeting, the Australian delegation claimed that it granted climate to the PIF as a regional organization. However, the reality that emerged following the meeting was of 'business as usual', with aid disbursed only on a bilateral basis and contingent upon recipient countries' silence on climate change and environmental degradation (Greenpeace 2019). Furthermore, attempts were made to dilute the environmental aspects of the communiqué (Wallis 2021), based on Australia's significant leverage over the other PIF members when it comes to bilateral aid.…”

“…Since 2020 this has become even more acute as the PICs had to rely on Australia for COVID vaccines. Subsequent investigation of projects undertaken under this commitment to Australian regional leadership revealed that the bulk of funding was allocated to projects related to state governance or economic development that are only tangentially related to environmental policy, or fully unrelated, with a generic mention of 'environment' or 'climate' in the project description, if at all (Greenpeace 2019). This is a textbook case of 'greenwashing'.…”

A Comparative Study of the National Security Initiatives of the Koizumi and the Second Abe Administrations

“…What is a 'normal' Japan in the 'normalization' debate? Hagström (2015) analysed the meaning of 'normal' given from the political left and political right. He said that the political left regarded that the post-war pacifism made Japan 'abnormal' and 'exceptional' and it is a treasure that Japan must value and is unique to Japan.…”

Japan and identity change: why it matters in International Relations

“…The literature on Japan, which adheres to this concept, has identified a number of Others À both external ones, such as the West, Europe, the US, Asia, China, North Korea and South Korea, and internal ones, such as the outcast group at the bottom of Japan's social order À burakumin, the ainu people (often described as 'indigenous'), Okinawa and the Korean minority in Japan À and it has analysed how these Others have been juxtaposed with Japan to emphasise what Japan is, and hence to construct Japanese identity (Befu 2001;Bukh 2009Bukh , 2010Guillaume 2011;Gustafsson 2011;Hagstr€ om 2014;Klien 2002;Morris-Suzuki 1998;Oguma 2002;Schulze 2013;Tamaki 2010;Tanaka 1993).…”