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Human Security Norms in East Asia pp 91–111Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

An Analysis of Japanese Stakeholder Perceptions

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Part of the book series: Security, Development and Human Rights in East Asia ((SDHRP))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the case of Japan, often acknowledged as being one of the most committed advocates of human security as a component of foreign policy. This chapter presents the rich narratives on human security given by Japanese stakeholders in the government, academia, civil society, and private sector, revealing the essential added value of the human security concept, which includes greater emphasis on “onsite needs and people-related needs.” Many of the interviewees also pointed to the utility of human security for addressing human insecurities inside Japan. The author concludes the discussion with a caution against possible “politicization” of the concept and suggests areas for future human security research such as the cross-sectoral, “comprehensive” approach, to challenges that cross the borders of sovereign states.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Brinkmann and Qvale (2009), Dexter (2012).

  2. 2.

    The author thanks the reviewer for raising this question. For evaluations of actual projects on the ground done by the UNTFHS, see JCIE (2004), Hubbard and Suzuki (2008).

  3. 3.

    These six clusters are the result of several rounds of discussion and experimental interviews within JICA-RI.

  4. 4.

    Available from the following data search system: http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/.

  5. 5.

    The seven aspects are: (1) reaching those in need through a human-centered approach; (2) empowering people as well as protecting them; (3) focusing on the most vulnerable people; (4) comprehensively addressing both “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear;” (5) assessing and addressing threats through flexible and inter-sectoral approaches; (6) working with both governments and local communities; and (7) strengthening partnerships with various actors to achieve higher impact (JICA 2006a).

  6. 6.

    Opposition parties, such as the Democratic Party of Japan, also regard human security as one of their foreign policy pillars. See DPJ (2009).

  7. 7.

    The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction found that increasing disaster risks in Asia-Pacific region are driven by the twin challenges of increasing exposure of its people and economic assets, and the inability of the most vulnerable groups to cope with disasters (UNISDR, 23 October 2012, http://www.unisdr.org/archive/29286)

  8. 8.

    The interviewee has been kept anonymous at his/her request.

  9. 9.

    Japan Platform is a framework in which NGOs, the business community and the foreign ministry work together for prompt implementation of emergency aid. It also offers financial support to Japanese NGOs through ODA funds as well as inviting donations from the private sector http://www.japanplatform.org/.

  10. 10.

    The SG report raises three examples of climate change, post-conflict peacebuilding, and economic crisis.

  11. 11.

    The interviewee has been kept anonymous upon his/her request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Law, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan

    Kaoru Kurusu

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  1. Kaoru Kurusu
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Correspondence to Kaoru Kurusu .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Global Studies, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan

    Yoichi Mine

  2. Research Institute, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo, Japan

    Oscar A. Gómez  & Ako Muto  & 

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Kurusu, K. (2019). An Analysis of Japanese Stakeholder Perceptions. In: Mine, Y., Gómez, O.A., Muto, A. (eds) Human Security Norms in East Asia. Security, Development and Human Rights in East Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97247-3_5

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