Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Despite the Japanese government’s efforts aimed at the globalization of the Japanese society since the 1990s, Japan is yet to reach an adequate level of openness and internationalization suitable for the world’s third largest economy and a key global power. The paper argues that, in recent years, Japan has been struggling to reconcile the pressing need to connect globally with the persisting mentality of the so-called “Galapagos Syndrome”, stemming from the legacy of the 250-year-long historical era of “sakoku”, or the self-imposed isolation, during which Japan’s domestic development thrived despite the lack of contact with the rest of the world. Today, it can be observed that in comparison with the other OECD nations, Japan’s society remains largely inward-looking and less competitive across various sectors, particularly in corporate culture, research, and education, English language proficiency, gender equality, and immigration policy. If Japan continues to maintain its insular outlook, it would undermine not only Japan’s economic prosperity, but also its regional leadership and relevance in global politics. In the next two years, the Japanese government will have a great chance to boost its nation’s international profile by hosting several important international meetings, such as the G-20 Summit and the Rugby World Cup in 2019 as well as the Olympics and Paralympics Games in 2020. The paper discusses the most important steps and policies that need to be introduced at the national level to prevent Japan’s further isolation from the global community and to help Japan adapt to globalization more effectively.