| Abstract [eng] |
China's Sharp Power in Japan During 2015 - 2019 Period There is an observable trend in global politics of authoritarian countries gaining more and more influence towards democratic states. What is more, some authoritarian states use aggressive foreign policy and strengthen their military forces, while abusing human rights domestically. Due to their inability to successfully project soft power, countries like China invoke more covert means in order to influence democracies all over the world. This raises the question what kind of sharp power instruments China is using to influence Japan? The object of this research is China‘s sharp power in Japan during 2015 – 2019 period. The goal of this research is to reveal how China is using its sharp power in Japan during 2015 – 2019 period. In order to achieve this goal, different methodologies are being used. Theoretical assumptions of power in international relations are being developed through the analysis of scientific literature. In order to check ideological asymmetry between China and Japan, document analysis is performed. Qualitative media content analysis is used to reveal the main themes in Japanese media outlets, regarding negative representation of the country. Qualitative secondary data analysis supplements the findings of media analysis, as well as adds other examples of China’s sharp power in Japan. Semi – structured interviews, with officers from the embassy of Lithuania in Japan and people from Japanese media outlets, provide additional information regarding China‘s influence operations in Japan. This master‘s thesis is divided into two main parts – theory and analysis. Theoretically, the concept of power can be analyzed through historical understandings, different international relations theories (realism, liberalism and constructivism), as well as forms like hard power, soft power, smart power or sharp power. Analysis is performed through three sharp power categories – ideological asymmetry, lowering value of the democratic country’s image and disturbance of democratic processes inside democratic country. The latter two categories are being analyzed through media, cultural institutions, cyber attacks and harmful inner – state organizations’ activities. The results revealed that even though it is difficult to prove China’s direct involvement in Japan’s affairs, observable sharp power tendencies do exist. (1) China is domestically promoting negative image of Japan through media, literature and cultural institutions, while at the same time trying to create “Chinese discrimination” narrative inside Japan. (2) Each year there is an increase in cyber attacks in Japan, posibly sponsored by China. (3) China is interested in Okinawa and might be influencing local politicians (including Japan’s Communist Party) and radical left groups to advocate the island’s autonomy. (4) Even though Japan recognizes various threats coming from China, it does not have a specific plan on how to counter them. However, Japan does heavily rely on defence cooperation with the USA and improvements in cyber security field. |
