Abstract
The aim of this article is to demonstrate how a relational concept of power can
benefit Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA). It begins by drawing attention to the fact
that Japan’s foreign policy has been portrayed rather enigmatically in
terms of power, and by arguing that such an enigma stems from the fact that FPA has
borrowed the concept of power of much International Relations (IR) theory, i.e. one
that puts power on a par with capability. With a point of departure in Steven
Lukes’ relational concept of power, the article then conceptualizes an
alternative perspective. By applying the ensuing ‘relational power
analysis’ to two ‘significant’ issues in
Japan’s China policy, namely the negotiations for bilateral investment
protection and interaction over the disputed Pinnacle (
Keywords
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