After the end of the Cold War, globalization advanced, while new challenges such as terrorism, regional conflicts, and the rise of emerging countries appeared. Japan continued to be asked to define its position in this changing world.
Basic Knowledge
In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed and the Cold War ended. In 1993, the European Union (EU) was established under the Maastricht Treaty, and the common currency, the euro, was introduced in 1999. On September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks in the United States (9/11) occurred, killing about 3,000 people. The United States began the War on Terror and fought the War in Afghanistan (2001) and the War in Iraq (2003, collapse of the Hussein regime). Japan dispatched the Self-Defense Forces under the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law (2001) and the Law Concerning Special Measures on Humanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq (2003). In 2002, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea and held a Japan-North Korea summit with Chairman Kim Jong Il. North Korea acknowledged the abductions issue for the first time, and five victims returned to Japan.
1991 Gulf War, collapse of the Soviet Union
1993 Establishment of the EU, Oslo Accords (Israel and PLO)
1997 Asian financial crisis, Kyoto Protocol (COP3)
2001 9/11 terrorist attacks, war in Afghanistan
2003 War in Iraq
2008 Lehman Shock, Beijing Olympics
2010 China becomes second worldwide in GDP (Japan moves to third)
2015 Paris Agreement (COP21), Legislation for Peace and Security
2016 UK referendum on leaving the EU, Donald Trump elected president
Further Study (Background and Effects)
In environmental policy, the Kyoto Protocol (1997, COP3, adopted in Kyoto) set greenhouse-gas reduction obligations for developed countries, but it had limitations because the United States withdrew in 2001 and China and India were not included. In 2015, the Paris Agreement (COP21) was adopted with the participation of all parties, setting a goal of keeping the rise in global temperature below +2°C above preindustrial levels, preferably at 1.5°C. In 2016, Japan enacted the Legislation for Peace and Security, allowing limited exercise of the right of collective self-defense and making a major change in its security policy. In 2018-19, U.S.-China trade tensions intensified, and protectionist tendencies grew stronger. The conflict between globalization and anti-globalization became a global challenge.
- Collapse of the Soviet Union = 1991, end of the Cold War
- Establishment of the EU = 1993, Maastricht Treaty; euro = 1999
- 9/11 terrorist attacks = September 11, 2001
- Kyoto Protocol = 1997 COP3 (developed countries only)
- Paris Agreement = 2015 COP21 (all parties participated)
- Japan-North Korea summit = 2002, Koizumi's visit to North Korea; five abduction victims returned
- Legislation for Peace and Security = 2016, limited exercise of collective self-defense
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① The Gulf War (1991, against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait) and the War in Iraq (2003, over suspicions of weapons of mass destruction) were separate wars. ② Distinguish the Kyoto Protocol (1997, developed countries only) from the Paris Agreement (2015, all parties). ③ The establishment of the EU (1993, Maastricht Treaty) and the introduction of the euro (1999) occurred in different years. ④ Abductions issue: North Korean agents abducted Japanese citizens in the 1970s-80s; five of the 17 officially recognized victims returned in 2002, while the issue of those who have not returned, including Megumi Yokota, continues.
Practice
- What event occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001?
- What was the name of the protocol for combating global warming adopted at COP3 in 1997?
- Which Japanese prime minister achieved the Japan-North Korea summit in 2002?