Japan’s Soft Power and its Implication for Russian Foreign Policy

The thesis is focused on the analysis of the Experience in implementation of the “soft power” strategy in Japan as an example of an effective foreign policy making from the point of its relevance for Russia based on the analysis conducted in the research. There are numerous foreign and national works, relating to the study of “soft power” in Japan, but not all of them exploit the potential of application of this experience in the foreign policy of Russia. The relevance of the study is defined by a significant and growing day by day shift from the use of traditional force, as a combination of political-military and economic power, to soft power which is based on the ability to deliver self-interest by dint of voluntary participation of allies. Within the objectives, the theoretical and methodological basics of the “soft power” concept and the specificities of the global community’s perception of it are reflected. The mechanisms of “soft power” implementation in Japan’s foreign policy by its resources (cultural, educational, economical) is defined. The significance of “soft power” in Russo-Japanese relations is analyzed along with identification of existing problems in Russia’s “soft power” concept. Moreover, the relevance of Japan’s experience in “soft power” for Russia’s foreign policy is estimated, by which certain recommendation are offered. The method of comparison is applied in order to contrast the foreign policy of Russia and Japan from the reference point of defining the most optimal ways for the implementation of the “soft power” strategy in Russia. The research result consists in identification of possibility for applying the Japanese experience in “soft power” as an effective tool in international affairs of Russia. The research may be used by researches as a basis for the further study of Japan’s “soft power” and strategy-setting on Russia’s “soft power” development.