"Examining Japan’s potential future strategies in a shifting global landscape."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
"Examining Japan’s potential future strategies in a shifting global landscape."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
Japan today faces many of the same social and diplomatic challenges it encountered during the Meiji Era in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century. Scott Harrison explores these parallels and argues that Japan’s historical approach—actively engaging with the world and forming strategic alliances—remains crucial for safeguarding national interests. Without strong international connections and global integration, he suggests, Japan may struggle to effectively address both domestic concerns and its position on the world stage.
Japan today faces many of the same social and diplomatic challenges it encountered during the Meiji Era in the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century. Scott Harrison explores these parallels and argues that Japan’s historical approach—actively engaging with the world and forming strategic alliances—remains crucial for safeguarding national interests. Without strong international connections and global integration, he suggests, Japan may struggle to effectively address both domestic concerns and its position on the world stage.
Key Insights
Japan faces many of the same challenges today as it did 150 years ago, from economic pressures to demographic shifts and evolving global power dynamics. Japan’s historical approach—proactive diplomacy, alliance-building, and strategic global engagement—remains essential for addressing its contemporary issues. As Japan navigates competition and collaboration with emerging economic powers like China and India, its ability to maintain relevance on the world stage will depend on forging strong international connections and embracing a dynamic, forward-thinking diplomatic strategy.
At the same time, Japan must address internal challenges such as an aging population, rural depopulation, and shifts in employment structures. Harrison highlights how Japan’s response to these issues will have global significance, offering insights into economic sustainability, energy policy, and disaster resilience. By drawing lessons from the Meiji period, Japan has an opportunity to redefine its role—not as a traditional hegemon but as a leader in tackling the social and economic transformations that many developed nations are or will soon face.
Key Insights
Japan faces many of the same challenges today as it did 150 years ago, from economic pressures to demographic shifts and evolving global power dynamics. Japan’s historical approach—proactive diplomacy, alliance-building, and strategic global engagement—remains essential for addressing its contemporary issues. As Japan navigates competition and collaboration with emerging economic powers like China and India, its ability to maintain relevance on the world stage will depend on forging strong international connections and embracing a dynamic, forward-thinking diplomatic strategy.
At the same time, Japan must address internal challenges such as an aging population, rural depopulation, and shifts in employment structures. Harrison highlights how Japan’s response to these issues will have global significance, offering insights into economic sustainability, energy policy, and disaster resilience. By drawing lessons from the Meiji period, Japan has an opportunity to redefine its role—not as a traditional hegemon but as a leader in tackling the social and economic transformations that many developed nations are or will soon face.
View Article
The edited volume in which this article appears resulted from a collaboration between two policy-focused networks: the Canada-based Japan Futures Initiative and the Europe Japan Advanced Research Network. The project brought together over 20 Japan-focused specialists and scholars from across Canada, Europe, and Japan for a one-day discussion in Narita, Japan, to examine Japan’s culture and history and reflect on contemporary policy needs.
Scott Harrison. “Meiji Inspired Diplomacy and Politics for Japan’s Future.” In Japan's Future and a New Meiji Transformation: International Reflections. Edited by Ken Coates, Kimie Hara, Carin Holroyd, Marie Söderberg. London: Routledge, 2019.
View Article
The edited volume in which this article appears resulted from a collaboration between two policy-focused networks: the Canada-based Japan Futures Initiative and the Europe Japan Advanced Research Network. The project brought together over 20 Japan-focused specialists and scholars from across Canada, Europe, and Japan for a one-day discussion in Narita, Japan, to examine Japan’s culture and history and reflect on contemporary policy needs.
Scott Harrison. “Meiji Inspired Diplomacy and Politics for Japan’s Future.” In Japan's Future and a New Meiji Transformation: International Reflections. Edited by Ken Coates, Kimie Hara, Carin Holroyd, Marie Söderberg. London: Routledge, 2019.
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Latest projects
Asia/Indo-Pacific
Japan-Canada Research and Policy Network
Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
Cross-Pacific Indigenous connections, cultural revitalization, policy reform, and pathways to justice
