Abstract: During 70 percent of the twentieth century Japan had many large-size alliance networks, at both the regional and global levels. Japan’s foreign alliances followed the curve in the changes in the center of gravity in the international system. Judging from the two periods of Japan’s alliance diplomacy during the twentieth century, the orbit of Japan’s alliance-making was to enter into alliances with countries from hegemonic states, then to hegemonic-challenging states, and then back again to hegemonic states. In the long term, Japan made foreign alliances with countries it would challenge in the future or that it had intended to challenge in the past. The alliance policy of Japan provided her with a long-term regional advantage. But, on the other hand, it also had a negative influence on the security and development of both Japan and the region as a whole. Thus, it is important to thoroughly discuss the special features of Japan’s foreign alliance-making.

Key word: Japan; alliance; diplomacy

[World Economics and Politics, 2004(12)]