World Power Japan? The growing global significance of the Far Eastern technology state raises questions about the prospects of Japanese foreign policy. Whether this policy effectively harnesses the country's vast economic and political potential or gets entangled in domestic crises and foreign policy adjustments will determine Japan's international standing after the end of the East-West conflict. The related questions, which have been thoroughly discussed in Japan following the Gulf War, are the focus of the following investigation. I would like to express my gratitude primarily to the German Research Foundation, which initiated this research project and provided me with the necessary travel and material resources. I am also thankful to the project staff Beate Ando, Kathrin Haaf, Andreas Gobel, and Kirsten de Guimet for their support.