Japan's Economic Security: Policy Development Under the Influence of Security Identity and Key Players' Policy Initiatives

ABSTRACT The intensifying technological confrontation between the United States and China has compelled Japan to implement policies and measures to safeguard supply chain networks and sensitive technologies. This article analyzes the development of Japan's economic security strategy with a focus on domestic policymaking, aiming to identify its key characteristics and the domestic factors that have shaped them. The findings confirm that Japan's economic security policies have a strong industrial orientation but weak defense and military concerns. The article further explores the reasons behind this characteristic, arguing that Japan's anti‐militarist and pacifist security identity has created a framework in which defense and military elements are not explicitly articulated in public policies or business activities. At the same time, ruling party politicians and economic ministry bureaucrats have prioritized industrial aspects in these policies. Related Articles Catalinac, Amy L. 2007. “Identity Theory and Foreign Policy: Explaining Japan's Responses to the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 U.S. War in Iraq.” Politics and Policy 35(1): 58–100. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00049.x . Somych, Mykola, Tetiana Opaliuk, Iryna Potapiuk, Elena Ovcharuk, Alina Oliinyk. 2022. “Economic Security of Ukraine: Management Aspect Through the Prism of Socio‐Economic Development in the Context of International Ratings.” Politics and Policy 50(4): 810–833. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12481 . Kilinç‐Pala, and Pinar Buket. 2021. “Approaches in Energy Exclusive Security: Theories of Energy Security and the Dominance of Realism.” Politics and Policy 49(3): 771–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12411 .