早稲田大学博士(国際コミュニケーション学)早大学位記番号:新9407doctoral thesi

Sahin, Vuslat Nur

English

Waseda University Repository

 Graduate School of International  Culture and Communication Studies Examination Report on the Doctoral Dissertation  Applicant Name        SAHIN, Vuslat Nur   ( Last Name    /  (Middle Name)  / First Name          )  Dissertation Title・Subtitle： （English） Japan’s Contributions to Non-Traditional Security in Asia An Analysis within the Framework of the Expanded Asian Supercomplex Theory Dissertation Title・Subtitle：（Japanese） アジアの非伝統的安全保障における日本の貢献 拡大アジア・スーパーコンプレックス理論による分析 *Even if the dissertation is written in English, a Japanese language translation of the title and subtitle must also be submitted.                      2023/06/27    YYYY/MM/DD  To Dean of Graduate School of International  Culture and Communication Studies,  Examination Committee         Chief Examiner  UESUGI, Yuji 印 Signature （Affiliation・Title：  FIRE/Professor ）      Sub-Examiner  BACON, Paul 印 Signature （Affiliation・Title： FIRE/Professor  ）    Sub-Examiner  IKESHIMA, Taisaku 印 Signature （Affiliation・Title： FIRE/Professor  ）  The Examination Committee members report the results of the dissertation examination and the oral defense below.   1．Degree：Doctor of Philosophy (in International Culture and Communication Studies)  ２．Curriculum Doctorate (Katei Hakase)  *Please delete either one.  ３．Examination period Dissertation examination： From  2023/05/11    To     2023/06/22       YYYY/MM/DD    YYYY/MM/DD  Oral defense：                  2023/06/22                 YYYY/MM/DD ４．The results of the dissertation examination and the oral defense    *Please write down Pass or Fail in both categories.   Dissertation examination：Pass   Oral defense：Pass  ５． Summary of the Dissertation  As per attached sheet  ６． Table of Contents  As per attached sheet  ７．The results of the dissertation examination and the oral defense (About 3,000 characters in Japanese or 1,000 words in English)  （１） Evaluation and summary of the dissertation examination  (Including Summary of the Dissertation) The thesis tries to appreciate the contributions made by Japan to the regional dynamics in Asia by focusing on non-traditional security sectors such as economic and environmental sectors. To achieve this, the author employs the Regional Security Complex Theory (RSCT) originally proposed by Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver, which aimed to observe the regional dynamics of traditional security field namely military, and applies the theory to a case study of Japan’s contributions in non-traditional security sectors. By so doing the thesis seeks to examine the applicability of the original theory to the new dimensions and attempts to expand the scope of the theory to include non-traditional security sectors. In the thesis, the notion of the Asian Supercomplex is introduced. This geographically bounded concept is based on the RSCT which argues that security concerns of the members of the supercomplex are primarily generated by the actions made by the other members in the same supercomplex. When it comes to security matters, the dominant geopolitical and geoeconomics perspectives underline the significance of hegemonic competitions across different regions as seen in growing tensions between the US and China. This thesis, however, argues otherwise. It follows the RSCT and places emphasis on intra-region interactions within the Asian Supercomplex arguing geographically proximate exchanges not only in the traditional security sector but also in non-traditional security sectors such as economy and environment that are usually defined as global issues have a greater impact than the extra-regional stimulus on the interactions among the members of the region.  The thesis asks and investigates how Japan has contributed to the emergence and/or existence of the Asian Supercomplex by offering a case study of underexplored subfields of security such as economy and environment. It discusses how the existing understanding of the concepts of economic and environmental security has evolved since the introduction of the original theory in 2003. By focusing on Japan as an individual actor in the Asian Supercomplex, the thesis also tries to offer a more details picture of the mechanism through which a great power has exercised its influence on the regional security dynamics without referring to a military force.  The findings of this dissertation indicate that Japan was aware of risks inherent in non-traditional security issues such as food security, energy security and environmental security (caused by natural disasters as well as economic development and industrialization), and developed initiatives to mainstream non-traditional security responses utilizing instruments such as official development aid (ODA) and regional and international organizations. While it is difficult to neglect the influence of the US-Japan security alliance on even non-traditional security discourses and foreign policy responses of Japan, the thesis also found that Japan has taken initiatives in economic and environmental security and exerted its influence in the region by fostering international cooperation among the members of the Asian Supercomplex, particularly with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is argued in the thesis that Japan has contributed to the emergence and/or existence of the Asian Supercomplex by advocating the concept of human security as a main driver for navigating the security interactions and facilitating international cooperation within the region.  In terms of theoretical originality, the thesis provides an enhanced understanding of the RSCT expanding the scope of the theory to include the non-traditional security sectors as well as updating the original theory on the last two decades of development in the international relations and scholarship, especially referring to the rise of China and the importance of the non-traditional security sectors. It also contributes to IR literature particularly on Critical Security Studies by exploring the roles played by an underestimated and underexplored security actor, i.e., Japan.   （２） Summary of the oral defense (including Comments and Questions) The GSICCS oral examination for SAHIN Vuslat was conducted on June 22nd, 2023, in the room 11-807, Waseda University. The Chief Examiner was Professor Yuji Uesugi (FIRE/GSICCS), the two Deputy Examiners were Professor Paul Bacon and Professor Taisaku Ikeshima (both FIRE/GSICCS).   The candidate made a clear and professional presentation of the content of her thesis, which lasted 40 minutes, as instructed by the Chief Examiner. There then followed 50 minutes of rigorous questioning and response, to which all examiners contributed actively. Following the session, the examiners decided that the candidate had made a vigorous defense of her thesis.  This notwithstanding, further to the candidate’s oral defence, it was agreed by the examination committee that several revisions were required. These revisions were communicated to the candidate on behalf of the committee in writing by the Chief Examiner. The candidate addressed the required corrections satisfactorily before the final submission of her thesis, which were confirmed by the Chief Examiner. The candidate also submitted a note containing her revisions, which was shared to all of the examiners. The three members of the examination committee saw and approved the revisions and confirmed in writing to the Chief Examiner that the candidate had addressed the revisions required of her in a satisfactory manner. In short, the examiners were satisfied that the thesis met the standards required for the award of a doctoral degree.  

Japan's Contributions to Non-Traditional Security in Asia : An Analysis within the Framework of the Expanded Asian Supercomplex Theory

https://waseda.repo.nii.ac.jp/record/2000724/files/Shinsa-9407.pdf

Japan's Contributions to Non-Traditional Security in Asia : An Analysis within the Framework of the Expanded Asian Supercomplex Theory

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