AZEC and the Discursive Construction of Japan’s Green Identity: A Poststructuralist Inquiry

Launched in 2023, the Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) is a Japanese initiative aimed at achieving carbon neutrality in Asia through cooperation with ASEAN and Australia. This is an opportunity for Japan to renarrate its international identity, thereby increasing its ontological security. However, research has so far paid insufficient attention to this, focusing instead on the tangible benefits for Japan, and the degree of decarbonization and energy security. This study analyzes how Japan discursively (re-)constructs its political identity through the AZEC. The methodology applied is a Poststructuralist discourse analysis. The hypothesis is that Japan positions itself as a regional climate leader, distinguishing itself from China, ASEAN states, and even its past self. This study contributes to the understanding of the AZEC beyond tangible elements, highlighting its pathways to ontological security through the narration of roles and relations. Moreover, it accentuates Japan’s desire for greater status.