『日本外交の思想』覚書

When we examine the diplomatic thoughts and ideas in modern Japan stretching over some hundred and thirty years since Commodore Perry (1794-1858) forced the gates of Japan in 1854, the following three features can be traced: First of all, under the Tokugawa Shogunate's policy of seclusion, which lasted well over two centuries, Japan's diplomatic ties with the outside world were secured almost totally. However, Perry's visit to Uraga changed the whole situation: the sudden influx of Western civilization made the Japanese highly sensitive to what was going on in the newly experienced world; and “Westernization” became their keyword, whereas they began to show contempt for China and Korea whose “Westernization” processes fell far behind Japan's. Many diplomatic issues in the early Meiji period grew out of troubles with these two countries, which were attributable not only to the conflict of interests but to the divergence of Weltanschauungen.<br>Secondly, massive pressure from the West resulted in a policy of datsu-A nyu-O (_??__??__??__??_), or leaving Asia and identifying with Europe; and hardly any Japanese, either government officials or civilians, entertained doubts about this policy. But after two wars with China and Russia (1894-95 and 1904-05 respectively) Japan obtaind the status of an “imperialist” nation, and she took an extremely conciliatory attitude towards her Western superiors. On the other hand, among the oppsition elements was heard the criticism that this very attitude had been narrowing Japan's free hand in deciding her independent policies; hence appeared a design of datsu-O nyu-A (_??__??__??__??_), the very opposite of datsu-A nyu-O, in other words, a trend towards Pan-Asianism. With this as a background, not a little confusion, was seen in Japan over her diplomatic undertakings as well as in the field of thoughts and ideas. In short, there was in a relatively short period a radical oscillation of Japan's view towards the West.<br>Lastly, it is said that Japanese diplomacy has lacked generalization; and this is the so-called “diplomacy-with-no-concept” syndrome on the part of Japanese diplomats. On the contrary, not a few civilians have presented highly idealistic plans that they think Japan should follow. In modern Japan these two extremes have been coexistent.<br>This special number consists of nine papers on Japan's diplomatic ideas and thoughts in the Meiji, Taisho and prewar Showa periods, and one paper on postwar Japanese diplomacy. They are obviously different in their standpoint, but the editor believes that each has its own merits in employing new methods or unearthing new historical materials.