Will Reynolds
@warstudent.bsky.social
Lecturer in Defence Studies Education at KCL, @dsdkings.bsky.social | Doctor in War Studies, @warstudieskcl.bsky.social | Associate @csns-uk.bsky.social | Anglo-Japanese grand strategy post-45 🇬🇧🇯🇵 | Views my own
Would just like to thanks @kclcgs.bsky.social
and @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social for the support to put this article together.
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and @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social for the support to put this article together.
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February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Would just like to thanks @kclcgs.bsky.social
and @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social for the support to put this article together.
End/
and @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social for the support to put this article together.
End/
Ultimately, this traces a small, yet important, part of the evolving Anglo-Japanese relationship. It is very different to the days of the Alliance, both then and today. But the relationship of equals today is build on the backs of policymakers in this period. 8/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Ultimately, this traces a small, yet important, part of the evolving Anglo-Japanese relationship. It is very different to the days of the Alliance, both then and today. But the relationship of equals today is build on the backs of policymakers in this period. 8/
That being said, the difficulty of 'penetrating' Japanese culture and language meant that the specialists continued to hold much sway. Individuals like Sir Hugh Cortazzi could and did bring greater expertise and cohesion to Britain's approach to Japan. 7/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
That being said, the difficulty of 'penetrating' Japanese culture and language meant that the specialists continued to hold much sway. Individuals like Sir Hugh Cortazzi could and did bring greater expertise and cohesion to Britain's approach to Japan. 7/
Yet, as Japan's importance grew, so too did the centralisation of shaping policy towards it in British circles. What started as mostly a peripheral affair, limited to specialists and diplomats, soon regularly featured in Cabinet Committees. 6/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Yet, as Japan's importance grew, so too did the centralisation of shaping policy towards it in British circles. What started as mostly a peripheral affair, limited to specialists and diplomats, soon regularly featured in Cabinet Committees. 6/
Margaret Thatcher, for example, was willing to simultaneously ignore her angry back bentchers on Nissan investment in Sunderland and berate the Japanese mercilessly for tariffs on Whiskey exports. This state of affairs would not begin to die down until the late-1980s. 5/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Margaret Thatcher, for example, was willing to simultaneously ignore her angry back bentchers on Nissan investment in Sunderland and berate the Japanese mercilessly for tariffs on Whiskey exports. This state of affairs would not begin to die down until the late-1980s. 5/
There was no specific 'plan' to follow to achieve this. Rather, the fight between those favouring greater alignment and those focusing on domestic imperatives was won and lost depending on the context of the time and case study at hand. 4/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
There was no specific 'plan' to follow to achieve this. Rather, the fight between those favouring greater alignment and those focusing on domestic imperatives was won and lost depending on the context of the time and case study at hand. 4/
British policymakers did actively strategise towards Japan, aiming to balance the tensions between the economic/domestic imperatives of safeguarding industry and jobs *against* the Japanese Phenomenon, whilst simultaneously not pushing Japan out of the Western orbit. 3/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
British policymakers did actively strategise towards Japan, aiming to balance the tensions between the economic/domestic imperatives of safeguarding industry and jobs *against* the Japanese Phenomenon, whilst simultaneously not pushing Japan out of the Western orbit. 3/
Whilst much scholarly attention has focused on the inflection point of the 1970s for Britain and the West as a whole, little has looked at Britain's view of the "third pillar of the West", Japan. 2/
February 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Whilst much scholarly attention has focused on the inflection point of the 1970s for Britain and the West as a whole, little has looked at Britain's view of the "third pillar of the West", Japan. 2/
Not all the recommendations may be agreed with - three-star Chiefs anyone? - but it provides tangible reform options based off a thorough exploration of Defence.
Also, notably, Sir Richard Barrons - one of the SDR Triumvirate - wrote the foreword.
Also, notably, Sir Richard Barrons - one of the SDR Triumvirate - wrote the foreword.
February 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Not all the recommendations may be agreed with - three-star Chiefs anyone? - but it provides tangible reform options based off a thorough exploration of Defence.
Also, notably, Sir Richard Barrons - one of the SDR Triumvirate - wrote the foreword.
Also, notably, Sir Richard Barrons - one of the SDR Triumvirate - wrote the foreword.