2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Tachi Sakutaro's Doctrines on International Law and International Relations of Modern Japan

Research Project

Project/Area Number	23730046
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	International law
Research Institution	Nihon University
Principal Investigator	KAWAZOE Rei 日本大学, 国際関係学部, 助教 (40292809)
Project Period (FY)	2011 – 2012
Keywords	国際法 / 満州事変 / 牧野伸顕 / 立作太郎
Research Abstract	This research analyzed Tachi Sakutaro’s international legal doctrines in relation to the Manchurian Crisis, especially his response to the Manchukuo recognition problem. Some historical materials that have not been utilized by preceding works, such as his letters to Makino Nobuaki, were carefully examined. It unveiled the fact that Tachi’s open justification of Japanese unilateral recognition of Manchukuo contradicted his academic judgment on the issue, which was documented in his internal report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also pointed out that Tachi’s published article that ostensibly justifies Japanese unilateral recognition of Manchuko, actually involved indirect criticism of that policy and a suggestion that Japanese government should avoid excessive unilateralism.