Japan

Analysis

Japan is a middle power in Asia.

Japan’s overall score of 38.7 was 2.4 points lower than in 2020. The country has for the first time dropped below the major power threshold of 40 points and is now considered a high performing middle power.

Tokyo continues to be the quintessential smart power, using the country’s limited resources to wield broad-based influence in the region. Japan exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score. But while Japan is the standout net overachiever in Asia, its positive power gap deteriorated further in 2021.

The country performs best across the economic capability, diplomatic influence, economic relationships, defence networks and cultural influence measures, in which it places a consistent 3rd place.

Tokyo has gained points in defence networks and has established itself as the lead defence dialogue partner for eleven countries in the region.

However, Japan is trending down on all other measures of power in 2021 and its margins of influence are being eroded. Tokyo has lost several points and one ranking for diplomatic influence in the year following former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s resignation. The country has also struggled to sustain its once formidable regional economic clout, with a loss of 7.2 points in economic relationships in 2021.

Japan’s lowest ranking continues to be in the resilience measure, where it comes in at 9th place due to poor resource security and a negative energy trade balance.

Read more analysis in the Key Findings report . Explore further results in the Scores section.