Abstract

Japan and North Korea shared a cold, informal relationship until COVID-19 struck the world. Historically, as a colonial hegemon of the East Asian region, Japan subjugated the Korean peninsula, assimilating the inhabitants of the region. This facet allowed a nonchalant mix of individuals to generate durable ethnic communities. One such is the Chongryon community (ethnic North Korean sympathisers in Japan). While skirmishes prevailed between the two East Asian nations, North Korea gradually enriched its nuclear weapons proliferation programme, a concern that emerged as a major security predicament. Since 2006, while an informal communication channel muddled between the two, official diplomatic statesmanship has never been formalised. While surpassing itself as an economic giant, Japan has somewhat faltered in fortifying the region’s surveillance. The paper aims to analyse Japan’s proactive position on North Korea. It is to be perceived that diasporic, economic, or Fumio Kishida’s security strategy can sew policies onward while simultaneously addressing the consequences of an ever-changing global order.

Keywords: Chongryon, Japan-North Korea relation, regional diplomacy, global world order, diasporic diplomacy.

Notes on Contributor
Centre for East Asian Studies School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Assistant Professor (Guest), Delhi school of Journalism Delhi University. Email-lakhanbirs@gmail.com