Japan and the international humanitarian system: In the periphery by design, principle or strategy?

Abstract

This article aims to explain why Japan has been at the periphery of the international humanitarian system, at least for the past two decades. Based on a review of the main features of the country’s historical involvement in humanitarian crisis response, I suggest two main reasons: 1) the difficulty for Japan to adapt to the kind of institutions created after the end of the Cold War, mainly by Western actors, and 2) Japan’s preference for an integral approach to crisis management, using multiple international cooperation means, which falls outside of the present humanitarian diplomacy paradigm. As this paradigm comes into question, Japan can influence the emerging humanitarian system, particularly through the promotion of crisis management ownership and long-term commitment backed by multiple financial means.