This book focuses on the lives and peace philosophy of Japanese prime ministers from 1945 to the present, attempting to extract one consistent political philosophy, namely, the 'peace philosophy' that has consistently influenced Japan's foreign and defense policy. Exploring the meta-narrative of international relations and politics, this book provides a new meta-analysis of the factors underpinning Japanese politics, providing a timely insight into one of Asia's most powerful yet enigmatic players in a time of transformation. This book will interest scholars of international relations, those watching Asia in transition, and journalists.

Daisuke Akimoto, Ph.D., is an adjunct fellow of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University Japan Campus and former Assistant Professor at the Soka University Peace Research Institute. He is the author of The Abe Doctrine: Japan's Proactive Pacifism and Security Strategy (Palgrave Macmillan 2018) and Japan's Nuclear Identity and Its Implications for Nuclear Identity (Palgrave Macmillan 2020).

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Introduction: A Study of Prime Ministers in Postwar Japan.- 2. Kantaro Suzuki: The Premier Who Ended the War.- 3. Naruhiko Higashikuni: The Imperial Leader Who Disbanded the Armed Forces.- 4. Kijuro Shidehara: An Internationalist Who Embraced the Peace Clause.- 5. Shigeru Yoshida (I): The Antiwar Pacifist as a Diplomat and Leader.- 6. Tetsu Katayama: The Christian Pacifist and First Socialist Premier.- 7. Hitoshi Ashida: The Diplomat, Journalist, and Advocate for International Peace.- 8. Shigeru Yoshida (II): The Peace Treaty, the Alliance, and the Self-Defense Forces.- 9. Ichiro Hatoyama: The First LDP Premier to Normalize Relations with Moscow.- 10. Tanzan Ishibashi: The Antiwar Journalist, Statesman, and Peace Philosopher.- 11. Nobusuke Kishi: The Nationalist Premier Who Revised the Security Treaty.- 12. Hayato Ikeda: The Income Doubling Plan and Peace through Prosperity Initiative.- 13. Eisaku Sato: Non-Nuclear Policy, Nuclear-Free Okinawa, and the Peace Prize.- 14. Kakuei Tanaka: Remodeling Japan and Normalizing Relations with China.- 15. Takeo Miki: The Antiwar Pacifist and Advocate for Clean Politics.- 16. Takeo Fukuda: The Fukuda Doctrine and All-Directional Peace Diplomacy.- 17. Masayoshi Ohira: The Architect of the Pacific Basin Cooperation Concept.- 18. Zenko Suzuki: The Dovish Premier in Pursuit of the Politics of Harmony.- 19. Yasuhiro Nakasone: The Nationalist Leader in Search of Autonomy and True Alliance.- 20. Noboru Takeshita: The Advocate for International Cooperation for World Peace.- 21. Sosuke Uno: Scandals and Summit Diplomacy.- 22. Toshiki Kaifu: The Gulf Crisis, UN Peace Cooperation Bill, and the Gulf War.- 23. Kiichi Miyazawa: UNPKO and the Dispatch of Self-Defense Forces.- 24. Morihiro Hosokawa: The First Non-LDP/Non-Communist Coalition Government.-25. Tsutomu Hata: The Shortest-Serving Premier under the Postwar Constitution.- 26. Tomiichi Murayama: Official Apology for Japan's Colonial Rule and Aggression.- 27. Ryutaro Hashimoto: The Japan-US Joint Declaration and Defense Guidelines.- 28. Keizo Obuchi: The Visionary and Initiator of Japan's Human Security Diplomacy.- 29. Yoshiro Mori: The Kyushu-Okinawa Summit to the Olympic Truce Resolution.- 30. Junichiro Koizumi: From Kantei Diplomacy to Anti-Nuclear Diplomacy.- 31. Shinzo Abe (I): 'Toward a Beautiful Country' and Constitutional Revision.- 32. Yasuo Fukuda: Struggles for International Contribution in the Twisted Diet.- 33. Taro Aso: Value-Oriented Diplomacy and the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity.- 34. Yukio Hatoyama: First DPJ Premier and the Vision for the East Asian Community.- 35. Naoto Kan: The Great East Japan Earthquake and the Nuclear Disaster.- 36. Yoshihiko Noda: Decision on Atomic Energy and SDF Dispatch to South Sudan.- 37. Shinzo Abe (II): Abenomics and Proactive Contribution to Peace.- 38. Yoshihide Suga: Toward a Carbon-Neutral Society during the Pandemic.- 39. Conclusion: Japanese Prime Ministers in the Changing International System.