Research Achievements

Poster [426KB]


Date: October 17(Fri.)−18(Sat), 2008
Venue: Waseda University Building No.19. #309

Co-organizer:Waseda University Institute of Contemporary China Studies

Language: English and Japanese

Program [335KB]

Summary [151KB]

The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Japan are the two largest powers and the most important countries in East Asia. After the end of the Cold War, the dynamics of their relations have experienced a profound structural power shift, characterized by both conflicts and cooperation. On the one hand, the eruptions of various political disputes in recent years, such as the former Japanese prime minister's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine and the anti-Japan demonstration in China, have seriously deepened distrust between China and Japan. Old problems, such as the shadow of the history, combined with new rivalries over the security arena, are troubling the two powers in the post Cold War world. On the other hand, bilateral economic and social relations between the two countries have been significantly enhanced. In economic aspect, for instance, Sino-Japanese trade in 2007 has reached 237.3 billion US dollars, which is almost 25 times compared with that in 1980. In social exchange aspect, in 2007, for example, the two nations celebrated the 35th anniversary of normalization of their diplomatic relations by organizing various youth and cultural exchanges. More than 300 activities were organized in just a single year, which saw a sharp increase of people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. This workshop attempts to investigate the nature of Sino-Japanese relations in the post Cold War era. It addresses three research questions revealed by the complex picture as noted above: First, why have disputes broke out frequently in Sino-Japanese relations after the end of the Cold War? Second, despite frequent disputes, why has cooperation between China and Japan continued in the economic and social aspects? Third, given that China and Japan have never experienced a "strong-strong relationship" over the past 150 years, will their relationship bring more peace and stability or more conflicts and competitions? This workshop also calls for a paradigm shift in the methodological aspect in this area. It will be unique in two ways compared with the past studies: 1) An Interdisciplinary Perspective. In the current literature of Sino-Japanese relations, most studies were conducted by following a historical and descriptive approach. Only few studies tried to explain issues in Sino-Japanese relations in a theoretical and analytical manner. Historical facts cannot be understood without assistance of theoretical tools. Conversely, theoretical tools cannot be tested without a careful understanding of historical facts. In this workshop, both IR scholars and historians will be invited to contribute their works for a common goal to improve our systematic understanding of the complex bilateral relations 2) A Global Vision. Most previous studies on Sino-Japanese relations were usually conducted by scholars in one country. In this workshop, scholars from China, Japan, as well as from other countries, will be invited to contribute their pieces. A fresh understanding of Sino-Japanese relations is expected by inviting overseas scholars to joint this project. It is also hoped that a network will be built among the participants after the workshop.

October 17(Friday)

Opening Reception (13:00)

Opening Remarks (13:05)
Amako Satoshi(Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Professor, Waseda University / GCOE-GIARI Project Leader)

(Session 1):(International Structure)(13:30-15:00)

(MC):Kamikubo Masato (Waseda University)
-Mike Mochizuki (Professor, George Washington University):Stabilizing the US-Japan-China Strategic Triangle
-Ueki (Kawakatsu) Chikako(Professor, Waseda University):Sino-Japanese Relations in a Unipoloar World
-Sonoda Shigeto(Professor, Waseda University):East Asian Views on China and Japan: Some Research Findings of Asia Barometer
-(Free Discussion)

(Coffee Break)

(Session 2):(Domestic Politics)(15:15-17:00)

(MC):Hirakawa Sachiko (Waseda University)
-Cheung Mong(Research Associate, Waseda University):Rethinking the Yasukuni Controversy in Sino-Japanese Relations(2001-2007): A Two-Level Approach
-Kamikubo Masato(Research Fellow, Waseda University):The Rise of China and Japan's Trade Policy Change under the Initiative of Prime Minister's Office
-Xu Xianfen(Lecturer､Waseda University):Japan`s Decision Making on Suspention of ODA to China
-(Free Discussion)

October 18(Saturday)

(Session 3):(Mutual Images I) (10:00-11:45)

(MC):Shinohara Hatsue (Professor, Waseda University)
-Liu Jie(Professor, Waseda University):Mutual Images in the Historical Context and the Mordern
-Aoyama Rumi (Professor, Waseda University):Sino-Japanese Relations in the Globlization and Nationalism
-Gui Yongtao(Associate Professor, Beijing University): History and Mutual Perception in Sino- Japanese Relations.
-(Free Discussion)

(Lunch Break)

(Session 4):(Mutual Images II)(13:30-15:00)

(MC):Aoyama Rumi(Professor, Waseda University)
-Kurada Toru (Associate Professor､Kanazawa University):Anti-Japan Protests in Hong Kong: Patriotism under "One Country, Two Systems"
-Wang Xueping(Lecturer､Kwansei Gakuin University ):China`s History Education and Mutual Images between China and Japan
-Yang Zhihui(Associate Professor､Keisen University): The War Reparation Problem: Views from China and Japan
-(Free Discussion)

(Coffee Break)

(Session 5):(Graduate Forum) (15:15-16:45)

(MC):Cheung Mong(Waseda University)
-Christian Wirth(PhD candidate, Waseda University):Japan, China and East Asian Regional Cooperation: The views of "Self " and "Other" from Tokyo and Beijing
-Kolodziejczyk Aleksandra Maria(PhD candidate, Waseda University): Ideas of China and Japan on East Asia Regional Order in the Light of IR Theoretical Models
-Lin Yifu(PhD candidate, Waseda University):China's Threat Perception of?Japan in the post-Cold War era: A Tentative Discussion
-Takeshi Uemura(PhD candidate, Waseda University):Chinese Culture and its Foreign Policy

-Guest Commentator: Soeya Yoshihide (Professor, Director of Keio Institute of East Asian Studies, Keio University)

(Conclusion): 16:45-17:30
Mike Mochizuki (Professor, George Washington University)
Amako Satoshi (Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Professor, Waseda University / GCOE-GIARI Project Leader)

(Closing Dinner) 18:00

Based on the international workshop titled "Power Shift, Paradigm Shift ? Sino-Japanese in the post-Cold War era" held in October 2008, a new research forum on Sino-Japanese relations studies was established in June 2009 for further academic achievements. The new forum aims at enhancing idea exchanges and network building among young scholars in this research area. Academic meetings are conducted in the forum once a month.
A New Research Forum on Sino-Japanese Relations Studies