Legitimacy in International Society Japan’s Reaction to Global Wildlife Preservation

Legitimacy in International Society addresses collective legitimization of emergent norms at international meetings and its effect on state behaviour. Drawing mainly on constructivist approaches in International Relations and social psychology, Isao Miyaoka discusses the international and domestic sources of legitimacy and the basic conditions under which collective legitimization matters for norm adoption. Three case studies examine Japan's responses to wildlife preservationist norms against high seas driftnet fishing, scientific whaling and international trade in African elephant ivory.