Japanese Debates on Asia and Asianism: A Conceptual Framework

This article analyzes discussions about Asia in Japan since the mid-1980s, offering a conceptual framework for understanding the contours of this debate. The article identifies three normative positions among participants: those advocating the replication of a Japanese model in Asia, those in favor of a genuine community of Asians, and those who see engagement with Asia as the only solution for the country�s economic and social problems. The article argues that globalization and regionalization have been key influences in the evolution of the Asia debate in Japan. Indeed, although Japan remains a very insular country in many ways and although political obstacles persist, the growing richness and complexity of the debate over time may indicate a more multidimensional approach to Asia in the country, which sees beyond immediate geopolitical and economic imperatives.