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Diffusing the Abolitionist Norm in Japan: EU ‘Death Penalty Diplomacy’ and the Gap between Rhetoric and Reality in EU–Japan Relations

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  • Paul Bacon
  • Hidetoshi Nakamura

Abstract

This article uses Börzel and Risse's norm diffusion framework to conceptualize and evaluate the EU's ‘death penalty diplomacy’ in Japan. Despite the ‘exceptional’ nature of Japanese politics with regard to the death penalty the EU has enjoyed numerous successes in its attempts to diffuse the abolitionist norm within Japan. These successes have occurred through both direct and indirect methods of norm diffusion, and through socialization, persuasion and functional emulation. Despite the dramatic increase in executions in Japan in 2018, in practice the EU and Japan have established an understanding that executions will in future stabilize at a low and symbolic level. The EU has also co‐funded research that successfully challenged the Japanese government's public opinion polling‐based justification for retaining the death penalty. This research also played an important role in socializing and persuading the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations to change its official position and to support the abolition of the death penalty.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Bacon & Hidetoshi Nakamura, 2021. "Diffusing the Abolitionist Norm in Japan: EU ‘Death Penalty Diplomacy’ and the Gap between Rhetoric and Reality in EU–Japan Relations," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(5), pages 1230-1246, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:59:y:2021:i:5:p:1230-1246
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.13177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tuomas Forsberg, 2011. "Normative Power Europe, Once Again: A Conceptual Analysis of an Ideal Type," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(6), pages 1183-1204, November.
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    3. repec:bla:jcmkts:v:45:y:2007:i::p:1041-1064 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Michelle Pace, 2007. "The Construction of EU Normative Power," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 1041-1064, December.
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