Central Asia on Japan's diplomatic agenda : security, resources, and humanitarianism -- Silk Road diplomacy of the DPJ cabinets : continuity, inertia and change -- Japan's aid in the New Silk Road : developmentalism, securitisation and likely prototype for Belt and road? -- Energy Silk Road : anticipation and adaption in Japan's resource diplomacy -- Japan, China and Asian connectivity : competition, cooperation and the weaponisation of infrastructure finance?
Summary:
"This book presents a study of Japanese involvement in post-Soviet Central Asia since the independence of these countries in 1991, examining the reasons for progress and stagnation in this multilateral relationship. Featuring interviews with decision-makers and experts from Japan, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and the Philippines, this book argues that Japan's impact on Central Asia and its connectivity has been underappreciated. It demonstrates that Japan's infrastructural footprint in the New Silk Road significantly pre-dated China's Belt and Road Initiative and that the financial and policy contribution driven by Japanese officials was of similar order of magnitude. It also goes on to show that Japan was the first major power outside of post-Soviet Central Asia to articulate a dedicated Silk Road diplomacy vis-à-vis the region before the United States and China, and the first to sponsor pivotal assistance. The first detailed analytical account of the diplomatic impact made on the New Silk Road by various Japanese actors beyond formal diplomacy, this book will be useful to students and scholars of Japanese politics, as well as Asian politics and international politics more generally"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.