Between Lancaster and Tokyo: British Strategy and Japan in the Cold War

The tension between domestic politics and foreign policy has been a perennial issue in any nation’s strategy. Be it the failed 2013 vote on Syria, Brexit, or UK-China relations, the United Kingdom has often found its strategic interests abroad undermined by political trends or public opinion at home in recent times. Such a dynamic was particularly prevalent in Britain’s strategy towards Japan in the post-war world. Whilst the country was not high on the list of Britain’s priorities during the Cold War, Japan’s wartime legacy, its geographical location, and its growing economic power meant British policymakers did establish a general strategy on how to approach the country, and how to integrate it into wider British interests. However, that same economic power, combined with a struggling British economy and bitter memories of Japan’s wartime activities, resulted in policymakers consistently having to factor in strong lobbying at home that often pushed for actions which ran counter to British foreign policy aims. Whether it was the textile mills in Lancaster, the yawning trade deficit or British car companies being swamped, prioritisation of objectives and often creative solutions had to be conducted to mitigate the tensions within British strategy.