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Abstract

This seminar explores the dynamics of Japanese-South Korean (ROK) relations regarding the North Korean nuclear threat, under the Park Geun-hye (and Moon Jae-in) and Shinzo Abe (and Suga) governments. In particular, it explores how security cooperation between Japan and South Korea differed following the third and fourth (as well as fifth and sixth) North Korean nuclear tests. In contrast to existing explanations, this lecture focuses on the convergence and divergence of strategic priorities between the two countries, apart from external threat perception. It argues that the credibility of the U.S.' commitment to protect its allies is a constant, regarding the increasing North Korean nuclear threat. Therefore, it is not considered a defining factor in Japan-ROK relations. Finally, cooperation and conflict over historical issues influence security relations between the two countries, but they are not constant variables. This lecture argues that convergent/divergent interactions in strategic priorities, and the degree of discord and cooperation in historical issues between the two nations determine the levels of security cooperation between Japan and South Korea.

About the Speaker

Sachio Nakato is a Professor at the College of International Relations and Director of Center for East Asian Peace and Cooperation Studies, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan. His research interests include Northeast Asian Security and International Relations, North Korea's Foreign Policy, and Japan's policy toward the Korean Peninsula. His articles have recently appeared in journals such as International Journal of Korean Unification Studies, Journal of East Asian Affairs, Pacific Focus and Korea Observer, among others. He was a Visiting Professor at the School of International Service, American University (2002-3, 2012-14, 2019).

About the Chair

Srabani Roy Choudhury is Professor in Japanese Studies and current Centre Chair, Centre for East Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. She received her Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prior to joining Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2007, she was a faculty in International Management Institute. She has been recipient of Japan Foundation fellowship, visiting scholar programme to Keizai Koho Centre, Ministry of Economics and Industry, Japan, Policy Research Institute, Ministry of Finance, Japan, a visiting fellow at Research Institute for Economic & Business Administration, Kobe University and Graduate School of Development Studies, Nagoya University. Her research interest lies in the area of Japanese investment in India and enjoys micro –level firm studies. Her recent publications are centered on Japan- India economic relations and Japanese Multinationals experiences in India, their entry strategies and their survival techniques.