NEWS
2023.09.14
【Report】The AJI International Workshop was held! “The Dynamics of East Asian Politics and Diplomacy in the 1920s: The Intersection of International Cooperation and Imperial Expansion”
On August 5, 2023, the International Workshop titled “The Dynamics of East Asian Politics and Diplomacy in the 1920s: The Intersection of International Cooperation and Imperial Expansion” was held under the auspices of the Asia-Japan Research Institute (AJI), Ritsumeikan University.
During the workshop, five researchers from Japan and Europe made their research presentations, and one commentator provided feedback.
【Panelists】
Dr. Yuji KUBOTA (Associate Professor, Kokushikan University): “Japan’s Advancement into the Middle and South China: From the First Sino-Japanese War to the First World War”
Mr. Lieven Sommen (PhD Program in Japanese Studies of the KU Leuven University (Belgium)): “On the Mediatization of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Expressed in the Evolution of its Department of Information, 1921-1928”
Dr. Andrea Revelant (Associate Professor, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice): “A Voice of Conservative Imperialism: The Manshū Nippō and Conflict in China”
Mr. Lieven SOMMEN (Ph.D. candidate in Japanese Studies of the KU Leuven University (Belgium)): “On the Mediatization of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as Expressed in the Evolution of its Department of Information, 1921-1928”
Dr. Andrea REVELANT (Associate Professor, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice): “A Voice of Conservative Imperialism: The Manshū Nippō and Conflict in China”
Dr. Kazutaka SOGO (Senior Researcher, AJI): “Colonial and Overseas Development Policies of Imperial Japan under Internationalism: Reading Policies of the Kenseikai Cabinet from the Perspective of Cultural and Economic Integration”
Dr. Takeshi SUGAWARA (Associate Professor, Ehime University): “A ‘Watchdog in the Orient’? The Failure of the Anglo-Japanese Military Collaboration, 1905-1928”
Dr. Mahon MURPHY (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University): Commentary
In this international workshop that focused on the interaction between international cooperation and imperialism, some fascinating presentations were provided that captured the dynamics of Japanese politics and diplomacy in East Asia during the 1920s. The various perspectives of the different presenters from diplomacy to economics, media, politics, and military matters were discussed in detail.
Dr. Kubota’s presentation examined the policy of southward expansion pursued by Imperial Japan from the end of the Russo-Japanese War to World War I. His presentation clarified how Japan aimed to achieve a balance between military and economic expansion into South China while cooperating with Britain. The conflict between imperialism and international cooperation over the South China region, where the British Empire had many interests, was very challenging for Imperial Japan at that time. He discussed the complex relationship between imperialism and international cooperation in South China, where Britain had significant interests. The presentation explored the meaning of the policy of advancing southward and the outlined the Twenty-One Demands to China. Overall, it was a successful presentation that contextualized the challenges of navigating this complex issue. The audience inquired about the differences between Japan's policies of northward and southward expansion, as well as military and economic expansion.
Dr. Kubota delivering his presentation
Mr. Sommen talked about the Intelligence Section in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. The Intelligence Section was formed in 1920 as a response to the need for institutionalized activities for the national strategy of managing information following World War I. However, it is widely considered to have fallen short of its intended objectives. However, Mr. Sommen made it clear that the Intelligence Section played an important role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' propaganda efforts by invoking the perspective of the “mediatization of diplomacy” in the latest Western research. The attendees shared important issues such as financial assistance and human networks provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Sommen taking about his research
In his presentation, Dr. Revelant analyzed the organizational structure and discourse of the Manchurian Daily News (『満洲日報』) to report on the reproduction of Japanese “voices” during the complex situation in 1920s China. His analysis of the political parties in Japan was quite interesting, because he revealed that the Rikken Seiyukai Party had a strong influence on the Manchurian Daily News. Furthermore, during the cabinet meetings of the Rikken Minseito Party, conservative and imperialist ideologies succeeded from the period of the Rikken Seiyukai Party were promoted. During the Q&A session, there was lively discussion about the purpose of the Manchurian Daily News as a media outlet and its network with local people in Manchuria.
Dr. Relevant providing his presentation
Dr. Sogo made a presentation on the relationship between foreign policy and the colonial policies of the Kenseikai cabinet, which was in power from 1924 to 1927. It was found that Taiwan's economic development policy towards the South Seas and Kenseikai's policy towards the development of Koreans living in Manchuria were closely related to the Shidehara cabinet’s policy of international cooperation. The audience raised questions regarding the relationship between the Kenseikai's successor, the cabinet period of the Rikken Minseito Party, and the feasibility of foreign development policies that have a cultural colonial impact.
Dr. Sogo making his presentation
Dr. Sugawara analyzed the context of international cooperation between Japan and Britain in the 1910s and 1920s. Both Japan and Britain recognized the necessity and significance of military cooperation in the 1920s. However, internal conflicts between policymakers of both countries, as well as the difference in intentions of the British Empire (which emphasized India) and the Empire of Japan (which emphasized China), led to the failure of such cooperation. During the Q&A session, attendees inquired about the importance of military cooperation between Japan and the UK in relation to other forms of international diplomacy, such as trade policy.
Dr. Sugawara talking about his research
Based on the above discussions Dr. Murphy, as the discussant, explained the relevance of the discussion from Japan's imperial management viewpoint and presented points for future discussion. Particularly, he discussed several constructive and developmental issues that require attention. These include the role of the police administration in maintaining security for the Empire, the Japanese government's recognition of the people living in East Asia, and the significance of the League of Nations in promoting international cooperation during the 1920s. After receiving comments from Dr. Murphy, the presenters discussed fundamental issues, such as the potential implications of modern Japan becoming an imperialist country. Following a productive Q&A session, the workshop was concluded.
Dr. Murphy commenting on the entire session
Participants sharing a discussion