Japanese-Israeli relations: A cautious evolution toward normalization

This paper examines the evolution of Japanese-Israeli relations from Japan's reentry into the world community after World War II to Prime Minister Rabin's historic visit to Tokyo in December 1994. The constitution of this relationship has historically been defined by Tokyo in response to leverage asserted by the United States, Japan's strategic ally, and Arab states upon which Japan is largely dependent for its oil needs. It has also been defined in response to regional crises such as the 1973 October War and oil shock, the Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, and the 1990 Gulf War. All of these things have all had an impact on how Japan relates to Israel. Japan's voting record in the United Nations General Assembly is examined to measure its stance on the Arab-Israeli conflict. It indicates that, while Japan formally articulated a pro-Arab stance, between 1973 and 1984, its policy was in a process of evolution.