아베 정권의 안보정책과 ‘일본회의’: 강한 일본의 지향과 미일동맹의 구조 사이에서

Abstract

This paper analyzes association between ideological and policy inclination of Japan’s conservative right-wing politicians including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and their affiliated Nippon Kaigi’s views on diplomatic security. Nippon Kaigi (NK, the “Japan Conference”) is Japan’s largest and most powerful right-wing religious organization. NK seeks to restore the sovereignty of Japan which is rooted in conservative values in pursuing the national strategies by promoting constitutional changes, traditional education and a conservative history, having a great influence on Japan’s diplomatic and security policies. NK is keen on making Japan an independent and strong nation of the past, away from the U.S.-Japan alliance while recognizing Japan belongs to the U.S.-Japan alliance structure in reality. Therefore, Japanese security-related policy-makers including Abe affiliated with NK insists on the importance of the alliance for the security of Japan, and deals with pending diplomatic and security issues of China and Korea while strengthening the alliance. In conclusion, NK urges Japan to become more Japan-centric and powerful through two pillars defining Japan’s national strategy: use of force and change in the status quo for the alliance. However, the security policy of Abe who is a member of NK, known as the Abe doctrine, restricting the use of force with a stronger alliance is accepted in Japan.