A Comprehensive Study on Globalization and Transformation of Japanese Literature: In Relation to Soft Power during the Cold War

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00350
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02010:Japanese literature-related
• Research Institution: Rikkyo University
• Principal Investigator: KAWASAKI Kenko (川崎賢子) 立教大学, 文学部, 特定課題研究員 (40628046)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 近現代日本文学 / 検閲 / 広報外交 / 文化冷戦 / 貫戦期 / ジェンダー / 留学 / ポストコロニアル

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Modern Japanese literature was censored by the Ministry of Home Affairs before and during the Asia-Pacific War. Later, during the GHQ occupation, a media policy was implemented with the CCD (Civil Censorship Detachment) and the CIE (Civil Information and Education Section) as its two main arms. After the end of the occupation and into the Cold War, the U.S. occupation agencies were reorganized into foundations engaged in civilian diplomacy and public diplomacy. The outreach to Japanese literary figures took the form of grants and invitations by U.S. institutions. This study focuses on the bias and transformation of the internationalization of Japanese literature during the Cold War. In particular, we conducted a survey of Japanese literary scholars' experiences in the U.S. and changes in the representation of the intimate sphere.
Compromises and conflicts between media policy and representation were revealed.

Free Research Field

近現代日本文学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

文化冷戦期における日米のメディア政策の変容とこれに対応し、あるときは自主検閲を余儀なくされ、あるときは奨励され、また米国に招聘された、日本文学者の融和と葛藤の諸相に焦点を当てた。冷戦期におけるナショナリズム／トランスナショナリズムが文学においてどのように言説化されたのかを明らかにした。と同時に、ジェンダーの視角から、アメリカ体験および国際化の体験が、家族や性などの親密圏の表象をどのように変えていったのかを明らかにした。第三の新人グループに加えて、有吉佐和子、石井桃子らの女性作家や、松本清張らの大衆文学作家も分析対象とした。