THE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES (SASS)
MONASH UNIVERSITY, MALAYSIA CAMPUS

cordially invites you to a
SEMINAR TALK

Speaker:        Dr. Tang Siew-Mun, Senior Lecturer, National Defence University of Malaysia
Title:               Is Japan “Normalizing” ?
Date:              2 June 2009 (Tuesday)
Time:             12.00noon to 1.00p.m.
Venue:          Communication Lab 9508, Level 5, Building 9, Monash University, Sunway Campus

Abstract:

The perception of Japan as a peaceful country in the postwar period, in large measures, rests on Japan’s self-imposed constraints on the use of force. Article IX of the constitution strictly forbids Japan to use force as a tool of foreign policy. In fact, for most of the postwar period, Japanese defence forces were limited to operational boundaries within its territorial waters.  Critics have decried Japan’s strategic self-restrain as “abnormal” and chastised Japan’s reluctance to fully rearm  as a form of free-riding. On the other hand, there are signs that Japan is moving towards normalization, as evident by its high profile involvement in supporting American operations in Afghanistan and the deployment of the Self-Defence Force in Iraq. Are these the signs that Japan is normalizing?  Is a militarily resurgent Japan a treat to regional security?  Is Japan heading towards a “revival of militarism?”  In addition to addressing these issues, this paper analyzes the impact of Japan’s purported “normalization” on regional and international security.

Speaker’s Profile:

Dr. Tang Siew-Mun is Senior Lecturer at the National Defence University of Malaysia, where he chairs the Department of Strategic Studies.  He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Malaysian Japanese Studies Association. Dr. Tang has published on East Asian affairs and security studies, including, ““The Many Faces and Facets  of  Warfare:  Redrawing  the  Boundaries  and Focus of Warfare in Contemporary International Relations,” ““No Community Sans Concert? The Role of Great Powers in Institutionalising an Asian Security Community.” “Japanese Postwar Diplomacy in Southeast Asia: The Pursuit of Security by Other Means,” “Japan’s Security Renaissance: Evolution or Revolution?” “The East Asian Community: A Community of Nations or A Concert of Nations?” “Japan’s Grand Strategic Shift from Yoshida to Koizumi: Reflections on Japan’s Strategic Focus in the 21st Century” and “Japan’s Vision of an East Asian Community: A Malaysian Perspective.” He is currently researching on “Leading the East Asian Community: A Comparative Study of Malaysian and Indonesian Elite Perspectives on ASEAN’s Leadership Capacity and Aspirations.” Dr. Tang holds a B.A (Hons.) (1993) from the National University of Malaysia, a MA (1995) in War Studies from King’s College London, a MA (1998) in International Studies from the Claremont Graduate University and a Ph.D. (2004) from Arizona State University in Political Science.

This seminar is FREE and its open to the public. For further information please contact Ms Vasantha  Mathaven at vasantha@sass.monash.edu.my or at 03-5514 6000 (61553). For more information about past and future seminars, please visit our website:  www.sass.monash.edu.my .

Hope to see you there!

Warmest Regards,
Vasantha Mathaven
Research & Development Manager
School of Arts & Social Sciences
Monash University
Sunway Campus, Malaysia
Tel: +603-5514  6000 (61553)
Fax:+603-5514 6365