This book analyses Japan's international relations and participation in the multilateral forum, the G7/8, since its creation in 1975 through to the Kananaskis Summit in Canada in 2002. Alongside this unique political history of Japan's involvement in the summit process, Japan's contributions to the process, it's alliance with the US and it's position within the East Asian region and international society as a whole are also discussed in depth. Hugo Dobson explores the motivation of the Japanese government and non-governmental actor's aims and objectives and examines how and to what extent they have been achieved.

Presenting a wealth of new research as well as interviews with some of the main Japanese participants in the summit process, this book gives a historically and theoretically informed analysis of Japan's role in the G7 and G8 from 1975-2002. It will be of interest to bureaucrats and politicians as well as scholars of Asian Studies and International Relations.