Domestic and Foreign Policy Challenges Confronting Japan
Jacob Kovalio Carleton University |
The Democratic Party of Japan [DPJ] came to power in September 2009, replacing the Liberal-Democratic Party [LDP] which had ruled for almost 54 years. The DPJ's one year in power has been a veritable annus horribilis, domestically and in foreign policy. Japan seems to be caught in a vortex of bad circumstances beyond its control. Following an introduction to the domestic scene, Dr. Kovalio examines Japan's foreign policy, particularly the need to balance the 50-year old military alliance with the United States with its expanding ties with China, India, and beyond.
Jacob Kovalio holds a Ph.D. in Japanese history and an MA in Chinese history, both from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been with the Department of History at Carleton University since 1987. Dr. Kovalio has lectured at the University of Victoria, the Hebrew and Tel-Aviv Universities in Israel, and at Daitō-Bunka and Sōka Universities in Japan. He specializes in Japanese and Asian modern history, politics, international relations, nationalism and Pan-Asianism. During his academic career, he has won three Excellence in Teaching Awards and published books and articles on Japanese history, domestic politics, and foreign policy, among other topics. |
