Counter-Terrorism in a Pacifist Country: Japan’s Case

Abstract

This article examines the effects of terrorist groups in Japan during the latter part of the 1990s on issues such as national security, social structures, and religion. In addition to being a leading economy and academic research centre, Japan is one of the world’s top countries regarding tolerance, respect, and social harmony. However, Japan’s economic success has resulted not only in prosperity yet in some social unease and unrest. Although the murder of Abe Shinzo in June 2022 has become the country’s top agenda item, there is not enough literature on domestic terrorism in Japan. There were two terrorist organizations in Japan (the AUM and the Japan Red Army). Their dreadful political and military repercussions are still being felt today. At first impression, it appears that Japan approaches the fight against terrorism from a human security perspective rather than a governmental concern. Human security evolved due to the alteration of traditional security attitudes following the Cold War’s conclusion and the investigation of new security challenges based on individualizing the sources of insecurity. However, how can it be explained that Japan’s security concerns were primarily focused on human security throughout the Cold War? Because of its unique status, the perception of terrorism and the struggle against terrorism in a pacifist culture are exceptional cases.