China's Changing Political Warfare: The Case of Japan

Efforts by the People's Republic of China to influence Japan to espouse policies favored by Beijing have been far less noticeable than those involving other countries, particularly Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. In part, this is due to the more closed nature of Japanese society compared to other democratic states. Ironically, Japan has been criticized for what some observers see as exclusionary attitudes. In this sense, such attitudes have provided a measure of protection from China's efforts. Some of these attempts at political influence have succeeded nonetheless. Japan's desire to participate fully in the Chinese market, as well as the forces of globalization, have increased its vulnerability, while the government recently has undertaken efforts to address these vulnerabilities.