Karol Zakowski, PhD (2010) and habilitation (2016) in political science, is an Associate Professor of International Relations at the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz. He was a visiting scholar at the Kwansei Gakuin University (2008-2009), Keio University (2012-2013, Japan Foundation Japanese Studies Fellowship), and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo (2016). His research focuses on the evolution of the Japanese political scene and Sino-Japanese relations. He is author of Decision-Making Reform in Japan: The DPJ's Failed Attempt at a Politician-Led Government (London and New York: Routledge, 2015), as well as other books, journal articles, and book chapters.

Beata Bochorodycz is an Associate Professor at the Chair of Oriental Studies, Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznan. MA in Japanese studies at AMU (1993); MA in law at the Law Department of Kyushu University, specializing in Japanese politics (2001); PhD at the Institute of Political Studies, Polish Academy of Science (PAN) in Warsaw (2006). Additionally, she was a fellow of the International Rotary Club (1993-1995), the Japanese Ministry of Education (1997-2001), and Japan Foundation (2013-2014). Visiting Professor at Yokohama National University (2008-2009), and visiting scholar at GRIPS in Tokyo (Sep.-Oct. 2016). Research focus: modern political and social history of Japan, policy process in public administration, foreign policy, the Okinawa problem in Japan-US relations. An author of several articles and books, including The Changing Patterns of Policy Making in Japan (Poznan: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu im. Adama Mickiewicza,2010).

Marcin Socha, PhD (2015) in international relations, is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz. His research focuses on changes in Japanese energy and climate policy. He is a research associate in the Center for Asian Affairs in Lodz, Poland, with a focus on Japan's paradiplomacy and policy towards Central and Eastern Europe.

Structures and Actors in Foreign Policy Making in Japan.- Central Government Reforms and Foreign Policy Making in Japan.- War on Terrorism Under the Koizumi Cabinet.- History Problems Under the Koizumi Administration.- Prime Minister Koizumi's Policy Towards North Korea.- Rapprochement with China Under the Abe and Fukuda Cabinets.- New Pillar of Japan's Foreign Policy: Arc of Freedom and Prosperity and Values-Oriented Diplomacy.- The Issue of Futenma Under the Koizumi and Hatoyama Cabinets.- Hatoyama Administration's East Asian Community Initiative.- Climate Change Negotiations Under the DPJ Government.- Abe Cabinet and the TPP Negotiations on "Trade Sensitivities".- Summary and Conclusions.¿