2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Why, When, and How Does Japan Get Involved in Diplomacy to Settle Conflicts? The Case of Conflicts in Southeast Asia during the Cold War
| Project/Area Number |
19K13625
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| Research Institution | National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies |
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Principal Investigator |
PRESSELLO Andrea 政策研究大学院大学, 政策研究科, 准教授 (30834973)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | Japanese diplomacy / Japan and peacemaking / Japan and Southeast Asia / Japan and Cambodia / Japan and Vietnam war / Japan and Konfrontasi |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
In the past fiscal year, the research has focused on another case of Japanese involvement in peace diplomacy, that of Japan’s mediation efforts in the Indonesia-Malaysia armed confrontation. Particular attention has been given to the examination of the Sato administration’s diplomacy on the issue, in the context of Japan-US relations. Considering that that is an aspect on which little has been written in the literature, this research is contributing to shed light on an understudied aspect of Japanese diplomacy. The investigation sheds light on the contents and features of Japan’s diplomacy as well as the factors (domestic and international dynamics) that influenced Tokyo’s decision to attempt mediation. The findings of the investigation have been included in an article that is being prepared for submission to an academic journal for publication. Meanwhile, research has also begun on another case-study, that of Japan's peace diplomacy on the conflict that broke out in Cambodia in late 1978 following the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. The conflict can be viewed as a proxy war in the context of the Cold War that became a major source of instability in Southeast Asia for more than a decade. The investigation aims to clarify the contents, aims, and features of Japan’s peace diplomacy..
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the fiscal year has affected the research work. The study of primary sources, which is central to this research projected, has been particularly affected. Archival work, particularly abroad could not be carried out, due to the restrictions/difficulties/uncertainties in international travels and the disruption to the operations of archives. Despite those exceptional circumstances, the research project is making progress, although at a somewhat slower pace. It is hoped that in the near future an improvement of the Covid pandemic will make it possible to conduct archival research abroad. Meanwhile, considering the difficulties in carrying out archival research, primary sources and other relevant information are being searched through alternative means, such as online databases/sources and other materials. Additional work is being done on reviewing relevant previous studies.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In this fiscal year, research work will continue on the case of Japanese peace diplomacy on the conflict that erupted in Cambodia in December 1978 following the Vietnamese invasion of that country. If relevant data will be found, the investigation of an additional case study might be added. The focus will then be on the analysis of the general findings of the research. In the short term, it is expected that the situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect archival research abroad, due to continuing difficulties/restrictions/uncertainties in international travel and disruption to the operations of archives. Therefore, increased efforts will be carried out to find alternative sources of primary data. Secondary sources related to the new case-studies will also be procured and examined.
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| Causes of Carryover |
As a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, plans for research activities abroad and participation in international conferences abroad were cancelled. The funds will be mainly used to finance activities aimed at searching and collecting primary sources (through online databases or other sources) and, if the COVID-19 situation allows it, through research work at international and national archives. The funds will also be used to procure relevant secondary sources (such as purchase of relevant books), to professionally edit papers for publication, and to disseminate the results of the research. Part of the funds might be used for purchasing materials necessary to carry out the research.
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