Bullettin n. 1/2011 | ||
June 2011 | ||
Kazuya Yamamoto |
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International Relations studies and theories in Japan: a trajectory shaped by war, pacifism, and globalization | ||
in International Relations of the Asia-Pacific , Volume 11 Issue 2 May , 2011 , 259-278 | ||
A common view of Japan's International Relations (IR) studies in the post-World War II period is that they are characterized by pacifism and historical approaches. This paper argues that while pacifism has continued to serve as the basis of them, the approaches adopted by researchers have become increasingly diversified. Specifically, although the main issues for Japanese IR studies in the postwar period (i.e. defense strategy, world political economy, and global issues) have been consistently addressed by researchers on the basis of pacifism, the theoretical orientation of researchers has continually become stronger. Finally, this paper argues that both changing and continuous characteristics of IR studies in Japan have been supported by global developments, and concludes that this trend will continue into the near future. | ||