The Role of Values in Japanese Elite Views of Contemporary Japan-China Relations

Abstract

The thesis seeks to clarify understanding of the role values play in Japanese views of contemporary Japan-China relations. It seeks to answer the question: how consistently do values play a role in Japanese elite thought, both academic and political, thought in explaining contemporary Japan-China relations?

This research draws from Japanese scholarly articles, documents and statements issued by the Japanese government, various news sources, publications of organisations, speeches made by Japanese government officials, and related secondary literature.

The thesis demonstrates that not only are Japan-China relations problematic, but so are some of the contexts and value perceptions with which a number of leading Japanese scholars and members of the political elite view and explain these relations. It ultimately argues that adherence to values is indeed important and that, in order to make significant progress in its relations with China, Japan also needs to have a deeper understanding of the very values it considers important.