4　日本の外交において継続する「植民地主義」　対アフリカ外交を中心に

抄録

Arguments and analysis on Japanese colonialism in Japan have mainly focused on East Asian states colonized (Korean Peninsula, Taiwan) or invaded and occupied (China, South-East Asian states) by Japan, and the Micronesia ex-mandates. Okinawa/Ryukyu and Hokkaido are also focal points for discussion in the context of colonization.

I analyze Japanese colonialism from a new point of view: the deeply rooted influence of colonialism on Japanese diplomacy. By passing new security laws in 2015, Japan opened the door to full-scale overseas military activities. In this situation, the “colonialism” of Japanese diplomacy must be strictly examined and confronted. This paper focuses on the Japanese foreign policy in Africa from this point of view.

I show the continuation of “colonialism” in Japanese foreign policy on Africa through the discussion and analysis of the following questions: (1) the long and close Japanese relationship with the White colonial ruling regime in South Africa from 1910 to 1994. As a colonial power and one of the victorious nations in World War I, Japanese was recognized as an “Honorary White” country in 1930, and it missed the chance to relinquish this dishonorable title by itself at the end of the Apartheid regime. This means that Japan missed its chance to eradicate the mentality of the “Colonial Empire” in its relations with Africa; (2) the cooperation with South Africa for the redistribution of ex-German colonies after World War I, and the illegal importation of Namibian natural resources, especially uranium, under the occupation by Apartheid regime; (3) the colonialist perception of international law and negative attitude toward national liberation movements. I examine Japanese policy with regard to the Guinea-Bissau and Western Sahara liberation movements as examples; and (4) the colonialist-style “Status of Forces Agreement” with Djibouti for anti-piracy operations, and the establishment of the first overseas base of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in Djibouti.