Is Japan Really Remilitarising?: The Politics of Norm Formation and Change

Takao (political science, Curtin U., Australia) takes a look at the rising tide of nationalism in Japan amid a more aggressive approach to security to determine whether or not this country is currently expanding and reinforcing its military capabilities. Examining state compliance with national security norms over the last few decades, the author notes that opinions about Japan's dependence upon the United States for military defense are changing in recent years, with more and more citizens supporting a policy of distance and autonomy. This book, written for students and scholars of global relations and political science, also explores the current debate between realism and social constructivism within Japanese national security policies. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)