Does Identity Matter in Helping or Hindering Regional Cooperation in East Asia?

(From Journal of Japanese Trade & Industry (JJTI))

Byline: Inoguchi Takashi

Some recent book titles, Who Are We? (Huntington, 2003) and At Home Abroad (Nau, 1997), clearly show that identity is a focus in the global discussion on foreign policy direction. By identity I mean something with which one's heart is at ease and something for which one is ready to sacrifice a lot. In determining a country's foreign policy direction, identity often matters. In this article, I would like to discuss the identity and foreign policy of Japan, South Korea and China on the basis of an international survey which I executed in 18 countries of Asia and Europe in 2000 (Inoguchi, 2003). The survey contained the following questions.

(1) Many people think of themselves as being part of a particular nationality, for example French or American or Japanese or whatever. Do you think of yourself as _______ or as belonging to another nationality or do you not think of yourself in this way? (Circle one answer) 1. I think of myself as _______.

2. I think of myself as another nationality.

3. No, I do not think of myself in this way.

(2) Some people also think of themselves as being part of a larger group that includes people from other countries, for example, as European, Asian, Chinese, Islamic etc. Do you think of yourself in this way? (Circle one answer) 1. European 2. Asian 3. Chinese 4. Islamic 5. Other supranational identity (SPECIFY:_______) 6. No, I do not think of myself in this way.