Whither Mr Abe's Japan?

This article reviews Japan's strategic options and policy initiatives under Prime Minister Abe, taking into consideration strategic changes in the region; chiefly a rising China and a United States approaching geopolitical retreat, and the policy implications of these developments. Mr Abe's announced goal is to restore Japan to its once great power status, and thus far success is proving elusive.

MAIN ARGUMENT

Hurdles in Mr Abe's path include the differing perceptions between Japan and its neighbours regarding Japan's history, and the deeply entrenched nature of these differences pose a significant barrier. A related aspect is the territorial disputes. A second task is to be a “normal” nation, that is exercising greater independence in security matters and matters of economic policy, and here differences arise with Japan's main ally, the United States. Furthermore Mr Abe also needs to convince the Japanese public as well as Japan's prospective allies about his views regarding Japan's security role in the region. A third task is to increase Japan's economic weight by turning around the Japanese economy from its existing stasis to sustained, robust growth.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Mr Abe is making urgent policy efforts in all directions and the rather uneven outcome experienced thus far has not deterred him, thus creating uncertainty for Japan, and enhancing the feeling of insecurity in the region. The ostensible policy choice facing Mr Abe now is to either persist with his existing policies, hence entrenching the increasing tensions in the region, or to accept a rapidly rising China and formulate policies more accommodative of that development.     

Our African Territories

This article represents the second half of a speech made ata combined meeting with the Royal Empire Society, on the 27thFebruary. Mr. Creech Jones was deputising, at short notice,for his chief, Mr. George Hall, with Lord Harlech in the chair.The first part of the address was devoted to a general statementof British Colonial principles.     

Social Development in the Gezira Scheme

Mr. Beer is Social Development Officer of the Sudan Gesira Scheme.He gave the address which follows at a joint meeting of theRoyal African and Royal Empire Societies on July 22. He wasintroduced by Mr. Arthur Gaitskell, C.M.G., who presided.     

INTERVIEW WITH JIHAD AL-KHAZEN

Mr. Khazen is the editor of al-Hayat, an internationally circulated Arabic-language daily published in London. The following interview was conducted on October 14, 1994, at Mr. Khazen's office in the Hammersmith district of London by Roger Gaess, a free-lance journalist based in New York.     

The Horn of Africa

The following address was given by Mr. Waterfield to a jointmeeting of the Royal African Society.and the Royal Empire Societyon October 3, 1957. Mr. B. F. Macdona, vice-chairman of theCouncil of the Royal African Society, was in the chair.     

Corrigendum

In the short note published in the last issue, ‘The SeventiethAnniversary of the Founding of the Royal African Society’it was erroneously stated that Mr Swanzy had been editor ofthe Society's journal ‘for many years before 1944’and Alan Gray from 1944 to 1966. Mr Swanzy points out that his editorship ran from 1944 to 1954,when he was succeeded by Alan Gray. It was in fact he who renamedthe journal African Affairs to differentiate its content fromthat of the International African Institute, and who institutedthe valuable, though exacting, feature ‘Quarterly Notes’. Mr Swanzy himself contributed to the 1951 Jubilee number animportant review of the Royal African's Society's history tothis date. The editors much regret these substantial errors and omissions,and are glad to be reminded of them.     

Town Planning in West Africa

This article represents the major part of an address given toa combined meeting with the Royal Empire Society on the 26thJune. From the Chair, Mr. A. R. I. Mellor explained that Mr.Fry will be returning to West Africa to continue the work, eventhough his post as Adviser has expired.     

Black and White Africa--Is there a Frontier on the Limpopo or Zambesi?

The following address was given by Mr. Richard GOOLD-ADAMS ata meeting held on February 4, 1960. Mr. Patrick Wall, M.C.,V.R.D., M.P., took the chair.     

Studies in War-time Organisation: (2) THE RESIDENT MINISTRY IN WEST AFRICA

One of the purest types of "functional" organisation, initiatedfor purely temporary purposes, and, with the alteration in thewar situation, almost inevitably gravitating to more long-distanceplanning, is the Resident Ministry in West Africa. This articlewas written, at our invitation, by a member of Lord Swinton'sHeadquarters staff, who wishes it to be understood that he iswriting in a purely private capacity.     

Dispensing Bounty in Africa

The address that follows was given by Mr. Farrer-Brown, Directorof the Nuffield Foundation, at a joint meeting of the RoyalAfrican Society and the Royal Commonwealth Society on April7, 1960. Mr. Bernard Moore, Head of the External Services NewsDepartment of the British Broadcasting Corporation, took thechair.     

A Recent Visit to Central Africa

Mr. Wood, the Conservative Member of Parliament who led a parliamentarydelegation which recently visited Central Africa, gave the followingimpressions of visit at a joint meeting of the Royal AfricanSociety and the Royal Empire Society, on November 7, 1957. Mr.James Callaghan, M.P., a Labour Party member of the delegationpresided.     

The New Ghana

Mr. Dennis Austin, of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies,London University, gave the address that follows at a jointmeeting of the Royal African Society and the Royal Common-wealthSociety on November 5, 1959. Mr. David Williams, editor of "WestAfrica‘, ’, took the chair.     

Obituary: THE LATE SIR DOUGAL MALCOLM

This tribute by Mr. Amery to an old friend was written onlya few days before he himself died at his London home at theage of 81. Although Mr. Amery did not play an active part inthe affairs of the Royal African Society his name was a householdone to its members as, indeed, it was in every institution connectedwith the Commonwealth. His loss was felt as keenly by the Societyas it was by any, and it surely is not out of place that weshould record it, however briefly-here. Spare, dynamic, directand indefatigable, few statesmen have signed the face of Commonwealthhistory with -such vivid devotion to highest principles.     

Anniversary meeting,June 24, 1936

The election of the first government of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2002 was a turning point for Turkey. People wanted change. That's what the AKP offered. Their successful economic management has seen Turkey transformed over the last 12 years. Foreign policy initiatives also prospered and relations with a number of neighbours improved.. More recent events have led some commentators to ask whether Turkey is moving forwards or backwards on the democratic path. There are concerns that the Ataturk legacy of a secular state is being slowly eroded by the forces of a conservative democracy and that too much power is now concentrated in the hands of Mr Erdogan. This is the background to the 2013 riots in (westernised) Istanbul. And the situation in the region leaves little room for optimism. The challenge now is to promote the political stability and predictability that will encourage continuing foreign and domestic investment in Turkey and to undertake the further structural reforms essential if Turkey is to rise out of the middle income trap and climb into the group of wealthier nations.     

Kenya's Answer to the Mau Mau Challenge

This is an abridged version of a lecture to a joint meetingon 25th March. Mr. Alport, who is Chairman of the Joint EastAfrica Board, went on the Parliamentary Delegation to Kenyaat the beginning of the year.     

The Future Possibilities of Ethiopian Commerce and Industry

This article is a summary of the lecture given at a combinedmeeting of the Royal Empire and Royal African Societies on the25th October. Mr. Bethell is Adviser on Commerce to the EthiopianGovernment.     

The Effects of Urbanisation in South and Central Africa

This represents the bulk of a lecture on the 10th July, underthe Chairmanship of Lord Hailey. Mr. Rheinallt Jones is Presidentof the South African Institute of Race Relations, and Advisoron Native Affairs to the Anglo-American Corporation.     

Educational Policy and Political Development in Africa

This article is an abridged version of a lecture given on the28th November at a combined meeting with the Royal Empire Society,Lord Hailey being in the Chair. Mr. Hussey has been Directorof Education in Uganda and Nigeria, and Educational Adviserto the Emperor of Ethiopia. He is now working for the BritishCouncil.