This book analyses Japan's international relations and participation in the multilateral forum, the G8, since its creation in 1975. The author 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 this theoretically informed book will be of interest to those studying interntional relations and Japanese politics.

Hugo Dobson is a lecturer in the international relations of Japan at the School of East Asian Studies, the University of Sheffield.

Introduction; Chapter 1 The first cycle, 1975-81; Chapter 2 The second cycle, 1982-8; Chapter 3 The third cycle, 1989-95; Chapter 4 The fourth cycle, 1996-2002; Chapter 5 Actors; Chapter 6 Norms; Chapter 7 Conclusions; Appendix I G7/8 summits and Japanese delegations; Glossary; Bibliography; Index;