Japan's Relations with Asian Countries after the Second World War

Kenichi NISHIMURA (International Student Center)

Objective
   This course will examine the evolution of Japanese relations with Asian countries after the Second World War. As one of the Asian countries, Japan has been keeping close contact with other Asian countries. However, its relationship with them had not always been friendly. The factors that affect Japanese relationship with its fellow Asian countries are historical, economic and political. We will explore how Japan reopened its diplomatic relations with Asian countries after the war, the characteristic of that relations and how that characteristic has been evolving. We will focus mainly on the diplomatic relations, but the scope of discussion won't be limited on that sphere.

Course Outline (These may be revised at the beginning of the semester.)
   Main topics which will be discussed in this class are as follows;

1. War Reparation and the Treaty of Peace with Japan
2. Korean War and its impact on the relationship between Japan and Asia
3. Shigeru Yoshida and the "Yoshida Doctrine"
4. Japan's Foreign Policy and ODA
5. The Korea-Japan treaty
6. Normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China
7. ASEAN countries and Japan
8. Historical Issues
9. Possibility of the East Asian Community

Textbook and Reference
   Some references and handouts will be provided.

Grading
   Class attendance: 40%
   Written examination: 60%