Toward Transnational Japanese Studies

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Other Title
  • トランスナショナルな日本研究に向けて
  • トランスナショナル ナ ニホン ケンキュウ ニ ムケテ

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Abstract

This paper discusses the transnational approach to Japanese studies. As a result of the expansion of practices cutting across nation-states since the end of the 20th century, different approaches that explore our world from a transnational lens have significantly enhanced. Transnational studies that began in sociology, historical studies, and cultural studies have recently applied to area studies, including Japanese studies. The phrase “transnational Japanese studies,” however, sounds contradictory as it combines two words with contrary meanings – transnational and national (Japan). What do we mean by exploring national phenomena from a transnational perspective? Would this approach be a denial of Japanese studies or rather a rebirth of it? I argue that the transnational approach would relativize the nation-state framework while bringing us an alternative view of Japan. This paper will first discuss the concept of transnational by comparing it with similar concepts such as global, international, and boundary-crossing (ekkyō). Then, it will explore how global and transnational turn has evolved in different fields – sociology, historical studies, and area studies – to overcome the so-called methodological nationalism that was deeply embedded in modern social science and humanities. The final section will discuss the main part of this paper - transnational Japanese studies. While to overcome methodological nationalism in area studies, area specialists have moved away from nation-states and focused on the larger region – such as “Asia.” Given the remaining presence of national states in our society, I suggest that instead of evading the nation-state from its analysis, “bringing the nation-state back in” to the transnational analysis will generate new insights into our understanding of Japan.

Journal

  • 国際日本学

    国際日本学 20 21-45, 2023-02-10

    法政大学国際日本学研究所

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