Japan’s Identity Crisis and Sino-Japanese Relations

Abstract

Japan’s social crises of the 1990s leading up to the unprecedented 3.11 earthquake disaster undermined the confidence and sense of security and selfhood of many Japanese. This chapter will examine the resurgence of nationalist discourse in Japan as an effort to reinterpret and reshape memory to restore the nation’s damaged collective esteem. The rise of nationalist discourse in Japan can be viewed through the lens of Japan’s identity crisis, as its state and people struggle to regain pride in the face of insecurity and anxieties generated by economic stagnation, natural disasters, and increasing competition with China. The recent agenda of the Japanese ruling elite to revamp Japan’s national identity as a proud, beautiful, and strong nation fuels tension with China. Drawing on social identity theory, I will explore the underlying dynamics of the Sino-Japanese “history problem” focusing specifically on Japanese defense of its collective esteem and positive national identity. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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