Japan’s «soft power» in the countries of South Caucasus

Abstract

Aim. To reveal the main interests of Japanese foreign policy in the countries of the South Caucasus.

Methodology. Based on the analysis of the programs and instruments of Japan’s «soft power» in the countries of South Caucasus, the main interests of the country in this region were identified, including the expansion of connecting transport routes between Europe and Asia, as well as the promotion of the «Eurasian Policy» of Tokyo and the influence increase in the important geopolitical space. To determine the dynamics of the provision of humanitarian assistance to Japan within the ODA (Official Development Assistance) the available data of the last 5 years was analyzed. The practical experi ence of the main grant program (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects – GGP) and the scholarship program (MEXT scholarship) implemented in the Transcaucasian countries is summarized. The analysis of the interstate humanitarian cooperation within the framework of the «Japan’s Caucasus Initiative» was also carried out.

Results. When researching the activities of Japan in the South Caucasian countries, the author determined that Japan is aimed at expanding the policy of «Eurasian Policy» actively implementing the instruments of «soft power» in the countries of the Transcaucasia. It also revealed the need to deepen research of the implementation of «soft power» in the South Caucasus not only of the «traditional» interested actors (Western countries), but also the Asian ones including Japan.

Research implications. The author considers the under-investigated topic of the implementation of non-military tactics by Japan in the South Caucasus, summarizes and analyzes various instruments of «soft power», including the «Japan’s Caucasus Initiative», identifies the motives of Tokyo’s activity in this direction.