Seminar on Global Society II

Debates on “Pacifism” in Japan --- its scopes and limits in the Asian context

This course examines the scopes and limits of the “Pacifism” in Japan and its implication to the Asian region. Since 1945, Japan‘s transformation from a brutal “Empire of militarism” to a civil society with its Peace Constitution has been widely applauded, but remains controversial. Its criticisms and skepticisms remain strong and its failure of reconciliation with its neighbors is just one example of its limitation. We will examine the origin and development of “Pacifism” in Japan through debates and discourses in various media.

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授業計画

1. Prologue: different meanings of the “Embracing Defeat” of Japan in Asia 2. The issue of war guilt: Hirohito and MacArthur, Tokyo War Tribunal vs. Nurnberg” 3. The new constitution and Article 9: Occupation by “New Dealers” and Cold Warriors 4. The Korean War and its legacy: Yoshida doctrine and the US-Japan security treaty. 5. “Hiroshima” ---the origin and development of the anti-nuclear movement in Japan 6. “Okinawa” and the three-non-nuclear principles 7. “One China” and “Yasukuni” debate 8. “Vietnam” and the Fukuda doctrine 9. “Japan as No.1” and the Gulf War debate 10. “Cambodia PKO and the new role of SDFs 11. Comfort Woman and Abduction issue: reconciliation with two Koreans 12. Rising China and the rise of Realism 13. Japan: a model for peaceful development?

授業の方法

Lecture and discussion Students are required to make presentations on selected topics based on class schedule

成績評価方法

Class participants including presentations (40%) Final report (60%)

教科書

"Nationalism in Asia a history in Asia" by Jeff Kingston (2017, Wiley Blackwell) The list of reference books and reading materials will be provided at the first class.

参考書

The list of reference books and reading materials will be provided at the first class.

履修上の注意

Students are required to make a presentation on select relevant topic on the issue of war and peace in Japan and Asia. Although studying historical debates and discourses these issues are contemporary ones. They need to follow the current debates intensively through daily news.

その他

We may have some guest speakers on relevant topics.