External ideas or traditional values? A reappraisal of Japanese 'neoliberal' reforms

In Japan, the so-called neoliberal-inspired transition generally refers to an ideological agenda. However, one should distinguish between neoliberal reforms carried out in accordance with a political agenda and the genuine local evolution of ideas based on the influence of foreign thinkers. By leveraging key notions such as 'individual responsibility' (jiko sekinin), 'self-help' (jijo), 'mutual aid' (kyojo) and 'public aid' (kojo), this paper accounts for older roots of Japanese-style neoliberalism. It highlights how, throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, predating current liberal norms, certain notions preceded contemporary liberal ideas and served as a discursive framework, while others became intertwined with 'foreign' ideas as they permeated the political discourse. It illuminates how shorter-term politics characterized by conflicts of interest and political strategies fit within longer-term political notions and their ideological evolution.

Automated summary

This paper examines the neoliberal transition in Japan, highlighting the ideological aspects and the influence of foreign ideas. By analyzing key notions, it reveals the origins of Japanese-style neoliberalism and demonstrates how short-term political conflicts and strategies fit within longer-term political notions and ideological evolution.