Motives for Tokyo’s reluctance on an expanded G7

Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar, IDSA, Dr. Jagannath Panda's Op-Ed ‘Motives for Tokyo's reluctance on an expanded G7’ has been published by Asia Times, on January 29, 2021.

The piece argues that the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s opposition to an expanded G7 format is likely drawn on several concerns. Japan’s desire to remain the only Asian power in the grouping and sustain robust relations with the US without any impediments – thereby limiting the extension of G7 membership status to India, Australia and South Korea – remain important factors guiding Japan’s disapproval of an expanded G7. Considering Japan’s unsteady and historically tense and fractious ties with South Korea, Tokyo’s refusal is likely based on Seoul’s proposed inclusion in the framework. At the same time, Japan’s decision is based on its dualist approach to global and regional frameworks, by which it seeks to maintain its national strategic interests and possibly its global leadership image.

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