February 2002 15

process (saitaku seido) for elementary Grassroots Initiative and middle schools suddenly stood in against Historical Revisionism the center of public attention. The saitaku shingikai are formed ev- New Developments in the Japanese Textbook Debate ery four years as an advisory body of the education committees (kyôiku iin- by Sven Saaler kai) of each communality. For the most part, the members of the commissions n the summer of last year a small As is well known, two new text- are named by the education commit- locality in the southern most stretch books entered competition in the adop- tees in an extremely opaque and highly I of unexpectedly tion process for history and civics text- controversial process. Each saitaku fell into the public eye. Fujioka, a com- books for use at Japanese middle shingikai is responsible for the adoption munity of less than 20,000, which does schools. In addition to the seven text- of textbooks for all subject areas for all not even have its own homepage, be- books already under consideration for schools within a regional adoption dis- came the center of the newly re-ignited each subject, the new submissions trict (saitaku chiku), of which there are Japanese textbook debate. Up to now, were the “New History Textbook” presently 544 in . Some adoption the name ‘Fujioka’ was familiar to ex- (Atarashii rekishi kyôkasho) and its com- districts encompass only one commu- perts on the textbook debates only as a plementary volume “New Civics Text- nality, if it has a certain size or popula- family name – Fujioka Nokukatsu has book” (Atarashii kômin kyôkasho) both tion, while others encompass several been one of the main protagonists of produced by the “Society for the Crea- communalities. In Tôkyô, each ward the rightist-conservative camp for tion of New History Textbooks” (Ata- (ku) composes one saitaku shingikai, many years. However, the turn of rashii rekishi kyôkasho o tsukuru-kai, or while, for example, the adoption dis- events in Japan’s history textbook de- Tsukuru-kai for short). It was assumed trict Shimotsuga in Tochigi Prefecture bate in summer 2001 was most likely that the “new textbooks” had a good encompasses ten communalities, in- not a source of joy for Fujioka Noku- chance to be selected for use in class at cluding the town of Fujioka. katsu. not a few schools, since the authors of The adoption commissions relieve In spring 2001, all domestic and for- the right-wing Tsukuru-kai had at their the education committees of a great eign protests fell ineffectively flat disposal widespread support from deal of work. Every four years between against the approval of a new and clear- people within the worlds of politics, ly revisionist history textbook through administration, finance, and the me- the textbook approval process (kyôkasho dia. Table of Contents kentei) of the Ministry for Education However, the adoption process for and Science (Monbu kagaku-shô). How- middle school textbooks did not take Title Story 1 ever, completely unexpectedly, the shape as smoothly as the textbook ap- adoption system (saitaku seido) for Japa- proval process (kentei seido) at the Min- Current Research 2 nese middle school textbooks turned istry for Education and Science, which DIJ Events 3 out to be an effective means for various approved the “new textbooks” in April grassroots movements to express their 2001. Yet, even so, the Ministry de- New DIJ Series 4 displeasure, to prevent the use of the manded 137 corrections, amendments, widely and vehemently criticized “new deletions, and improvements – a DIJ Publications 5 history textbook,” and in so doing, to record that the Tsukuru-kai need not call into question the results of the ap- fear being broken. Despite this, both Reports on Conferences 7 proval process for textbooks by the textbooks finally received the Minis- Book Review 8 Ministry of Education and Science. try’s approval and, with it, the sanction Since the inner workings of the adop- of the Japanese state. Other Matters / Outlook 9 tion process for textbooks – in contrast The Ministry’s approval, however, to the approval process – were widely was only the first step toward the dis- unknown up to that point even in Ja- semination of the textbooks and their German Institute for Japanese Studies pan, in the following I shall provide a revisionist image of history. In the case Philipp Franz von Siebold Stiftung sketch of this process in the light of the of textbooks for Japanese high schools, Managing editors: Isa Ducke, Sven Saa- events of Summer 2001 with reference each school has the right to select ler to the implications of the participation which textbooks it will use, while, in Nissei Kôjimachi Bldg. of common citizens on educational and contrast, the selection of textbooks for 3-3-6 Kudan-Minami political decisions, and provide an out- elementary and middle schools is Chiyoda-ku, Tôkyô 102-0074, Japan look on the still smoldering textbook made by a supra-communal adoption Tel.: +81-3-3222-5077 debate. In September 2001, the DIJ held commission (saitaku shingikai). The role Fax: +81-3-3222-5420 a workshop on this issue (for details, of these commissions and the complex E-mail: [email protected] see the DIJ homepage). procedures of the textbook adoption Homepage: http:Ðwww.dijtokyo.org

DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 1 May and August they examine text- could never really gain a foothold next adoption process in four years books submitted for review in the 11 there. (see for example the 26 September, subject areas taught by elementary However, the adoption process 2001, edition of the magazine “Sapio”). schools and the 14 subject areas taught proved itself to be extremely multifac- The turbulent events of summer 2001 by middle schools – altogether some eted and complex. On 13 July 2001, the were certainly not the final chapter in 400 textbooks – and decide on a text- district of Shimotsuga in Tochigi, the the Japanese textbook debate. book for each subject. Normally, the de- adoption commission decided on the cision of the adoption commission is Tsukuru-kai’s textbooks for history communicated to the education com- and civics after lengthy discussions mittees of the communalities in each and a controversial vote. The Tsukuru- respective district for their acknowl- kai’s first success in the adoption proc- edgement, and the education commit- ess for state school textbooks seemed CURRENT RESEARCH tees pass on the decision to the Ministry assured. But, the decision of the adop- for Education and Science. Since text- tion commission met resistance – in the books cannot be sold on the open mar- educational committees (kyôiku iinkai) Comparison of Cor- ket in Japan, the Ministry’s central pro- of the affected communalities, which in porate Governance curement sees to it that a sufficient just a few days were flooded with hun- number of the textbooks are sent direct- dreds of letters, phone calls, faxes and Structures ly to the schools from the publisher, in e-mail from citizens all over Japan pro- keeping with the law guaranteeing free testing the decision. Unlike other The Japanese model of corporate gov- access to educational materials (1963). grassroots movements in Japan, which ernance, which is characterized by In light of this system, schools have tend to act mainly on the local level, an long-term perspective and stakehold- few opportunities to exercise influence infrastructure encompassing the entire er-orientation rather than shareholder- over the choice of the textbooks that country arose through the use of the orientation, has often been quoted as will be used in their classrooms. The Internet coordinating protests in other one reason for the economic success of decision of the adoption commission is districts, providing form letters and e- Japan. But on the other hand one has to binding for all schools in all commu- mails, and circulating petitions. acknowledge that the system is also nalities in each respective adoption At first, the education committee of characterized by insufficient (self-) district. Principals, teachers and par- the communality of Fujioka reacted to control of the executive committees ents can only have influence over the the pressure from beneath and refused and a lack of transparency. The long choice of textbooks through member- to accept the decision by the adoption crisis ushered in changes in the system ship in the adoption commissions, but commission of Shimotsuga district. As of corporate governance mechanisms, how large their influence is in such a the official reason, it was said that Tsu- although it is not clear yet in which case is unclear, since the appointment kuru-kai textbooks “transmit a distort- directions these changes will go. Will of the commission members is ex- ed perspective of history, have devel- there be a conversion to the Anglo- tremely opaque. Moreover, earlier oped into an international political Saxon model with its focus on share- common practices such as schools giv- problem, and moreover are too de- holders’ interests and return ratios? Or ing recommendations to the adoption manding and detailed for instructional will there ensue an orientation towards committees (gakkô-hyô, or shibori-komi) use in middle schools.” The other com- stakeholder interests (which, in the are being done away with in more and munalities of the district followed suit case of , was explicitly more prefectures. after a few days and the adoption com- stressed by the Government’s Experts’ In anticipation of the approval of mission had to reconvene. After a new Commission on Corporate Govern- the “new textbooks” by the Ministry vote was taken, the textbooks from ance)? Or will Japan perhaps follow a for Education and Science, the Tsuku- Tôkyô Shoseki Publishers were select- third way? ru-kai had undertaken considerable ed in Shimotsuga. To answer these questions at least political and financial efforts to win or The decision in Tochigi and the in- to a certain extent, Andreas Moerke fo- place supporters in the education com- tensity of the protests against the initial cuses his analyses on two fields: Bank- mittees and adoption commissions. decision in favor of the Tsukuru-kai’s firm relationship and changes in the Obvious opponents of the Tsukuru-kai textbooks served without a doubt as a Japanese financial market; and incen- textbooks, above all traditionally left- sign for all of Japan. In the end, the tive structures for the top manage- oriented teachers, were removed from textbooks by the Tsukuru-kai were ment. the adoption commissions in many chosen in none of the adoption districts Japanese bank-firm relationships prefectures at the pressure of the Tsu- for state middle schools. The Tsukuru- are characterized by the fact that a kuru-kai on conservative local politi- kai textbooks were selected for use bank is generally assuming two con- cians. The Tsukuru-kai made their tar- from 2002 to 2006 only for special flicting roles: on the one hand banks geted appeal to the decision-makers schools (yôgo gakkô) in Tôkyô and are providing credits, yet on the other through mailings, direct distribution of Ehime prefectures by their respective hand they act as shareholders. This in- the writings by the Tsukuru-kai and its prefectural administrations. In addi- fluences bank behaviour, since a bank members, as well as – the legally ques- tion, nine private middle schools chose as a lender will try to lend out as much tionable – publication of the “new text- to use the “new textbooks.” In the com- as possible in order to extend its busi- book” on the open book market. In To- ing years, these textbooks will hardly ness. This can be seen as one of the chigi Prefecture, the Tsukuru-kai’s surpass 500 copies in circulation, reasons for the huge amount of bad textbooks appeared to have an espe- which is equal to a “market” share of loans banks are now facing. Being a cially good chance to be chosen by re- 0.039%. However, in view of the finan- major shareholder, on the other hand, gional adoption commissions since, in cial backing that the Tsukuru-kai has, a enables banks to dispatch personnel to contrast to most other prefectures, the discontinuation of the textbook is rath- the executive committees and exert in- teachers there are said to tend to be er unlikely. Tsukuru-kai members such fluence on corporate strategies. Here is more conservative. The traditionally as Kobayashi Yoshinori have already one opportunity for banks to prevent left-oriented teachers’ union Nikkyô-so announced “revenge” (ribenji) for the investments in risky (but potentially

2 DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 profitable) projects. Furthermore, banks and the financial market as a whole, of course, are closely connected with other parts of the economy. The project therefore focuses on the consequences the “credit crunch” has on these enterprises, as well as on the consequences the long-lasting crisis in the manufacturing sector has for the financial market. An in-depth analysis of the current situation is followed by an investigation of the changing finan- cial situation of these enterprises, as well as of governance mechanisms. A crucial point is to answer the question as to whether or not the foreign banks and other financial institutions in Ja- pan can successfully apply the corpo- rate governance mechanisms of their home country, and which results will be achieved. In contrast to part one, where an in- scholars from Japan, China, South Ko- mation of cultural uniqueness in the out relationship is the main focus, the rea, France, and Germany. Following case of Korea: Kim Moon-Hwan re- second part of the research project (in- up on the discussion in and Ber- garding cultural aspects, and Han centive setting) concentrates on mech- lin, this time the discourses in Korea Sang-Jin (both Seoul National Univer- anisms that are in effect inside a firm. also became a major focus of debate. sity) regarding philosophical or Neo- Stock options are relatively new for Ja- Together with five South Korean par- Confucian aspects. pan, coming into effect only in 1997. ticipants, members of the audience A third panel chaired by Isa Ducke Andreas Moerke investigates how promoted, discussed, and critically an- (DIJ) discussed various aspects of “pol- widespread stock options in Japan re- alysed Korean attempts at an assertion itics of everyday discourses,” includ- ally are. He will compare the influence of cultural uniqueness. ing historical and philosophical ques- of stock options resting on corporate The symposium started on 14 No- tions. Sven Saaler (DIJ) outlined the performance using empirical data vember with an opening address by emergence of the Pan-Asian move- from Japanese, German, and US enter- the German ambassador to the Repub- ment “from below” and the adoption prises. lic of Korea, Hubertus von Morr. Two of this ideology “from the top” during These projects are designed for one keynote speeches by Choe Chung-Ho the and Taishô periods. Mishima year; first results are to be presented on and Josef A. Kyburz followed. Choe Ken’ichi covered the historical back- a DIJ workshop in June 2002. (formerly of Yonsei University, Seoul) ground of the adoption of German rhe- presented Korea as a model for the fu- torical strategies into the Japanese dis- ture, while Kyburz (CNRS Paris) dis- course of self-assertion, and cussed the cultural relationship be- questioned the shifting definitions of tween Japan and Korea. The actual “East” and “West.” Irmela Hijiya- DIJ EVENTS discussion started the next day, preced- Kirschnereit’s presentation on adver- ed by an introduction by the two or- tising as a medium of national cultural ganizers able to attend, Mishima self-assertion in Japan illustrated the 2nd Symposium Ken’ichi (Ôsaka University) and Irme- everyday, contemporary use of nation- “Assertions of Cul- la Hijiya-Kirschnereit (DIJ Tôkyô, Freie al symbols as well as their amalgama- Universität Berlin). tion, particularly with culinary con- tural Uniqueness in The individual papers were ar- sumption. Asia” (“Asiatische ranged in five thematic blocks, the first A further discussion unit was dedi- of which covered “accelerated moder- cated to “history views and education.” Selbstbehauptungs- nity and the living environment.” Steffi Richter (Leipzig University) dis- diskurse”) Chon Song U (Hanyang University, cussed the textbooks of the “Tsukuru- (Seoul, 14–17 November 2001) South Korea) discussed in his presenta- kai” organisation as a medium for iden- tion on the communitarian movement tity construction, while Ônuki Atsuko As part of a series of symposia on “As- in Korea a possible “communitarian” (Gakushûin University, Tôkyô) concen- sertions of Cultural Uniqueness in rationality. Gu Xuewu (Center for Eu- trated on the political instrumentaliza- Asia,” which had started with an event ropean Integration Studies, Bonn) tion and the selective use of construc- in Tôkyô in autumn 2000 (cf. Newslet- presented on the diverging strategies tivist theses by this organisation. ter 12), the DIJ organized a second employed by Liberalists and National- In a final panel on nationalist influ- symposium in November 2001 in ists in the People’s Republic of China. ences in the research on the history of Seoul, in co-operation with the Goethe Another block, chaired by Lee Eun- science, Matthias Koch (DIJ) und Iwo Institute Inter Nationes Seoul. The Jeung (University Halle-Wittenberg), Amelung (University of Erlangen-Nu- project has already been introduced to covered different “types of affirmation remberg) presented the situation in Ja- an English-speaking audience at the of cultural uniqueness.” While Joachim pan and China, respectively. In both International Convention of Asian Kurtz (University of Erlangen-Nurem- cases, claims of scientific achievement Scholars in August 2001 in Berlin (cf. berg) looked critically at the Chinese are used as a means of demarcation vis- Newsletter 14). The Seoul symposium adaptation of Fichte, both subsequent à-vis the “West” as well as other Asian was again held mainly in German with speakers argued in favour of an affir- countries.

DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 3 The conclusion of the symposium rector, DIJ Tôkyô) and greetings by come, but would perhaps best be ap- was drawn by Alex Demirovic (Wup- Nikolai Putscher (Financial Counsel- proached mainly from the perspective pertal University), who characterized lor, Embassy of Germany), Martin of the history of science and technolo- the various strategies of affirmation of Schulz (Fujitsu Research Institute) gy. cultural uniqueness as leadership tech- pointed out the importance of macr- The principal task of the German niques of the elites, with intellectuals, oeconomic harmonization for achiev- Institute for Japanese Studies is to car- publishers, and the media playing im- ing the European Monetary Union, ry out research on modern Japan and portant roles as transmitters. On a mac- while Haramiishi Kenji (Institute for German-Japanese relations in the ro-level, Demirovic linked the issue to International Monetary Affairs) gave fields of the humanities, the social sci- worldwide globalisation trends and an assessment of the Chiang Mai Initi- ences, and economics, as well as to the parallel emergence of regional ative and possible next steps to communicate research results from Ja- identities (e.g., in the EU). He urged strengthen regional cooperation. In the pan to Germany. In this sense the new listeners to examine not only the divid- second session, Prof. Helmut Wagner DIJ publication series shall focus on ing factors of such an assertion, but (University of Hagen) described and German-Japanese relations concerning also its connecting aspects, in the sense analyzed the pitfalls of the enlarge- political, economic and cultural affairs, of a promotion of regional identity (in ment of the European Monetary Union and at the same time take into account Asia). A follow-up conference on the to Central and Eastern European coun- the European integration that is cur- same topic is currently being planned tries. Prof. Ôgawa Eiji (Hitotsubashi rently taking place. Regarding research for autumn 2002 in Erlangen and Ber- University) and Kwan C.H. (METI – on historical relations and comparative lin. Research Institute for Economy, Trade topics, a restriction solely to issues re- and Industry) presented on major is- lating to Japan and Germany has made sues related to the internationalization sense in the past and promises to re- of the Yen and possible exchange rate main fruitful and productive in the fu- regimes in East Asia. In the third panel, ture. DIJ Symposium on Prof. Kondô Takehiko (Ritsumeikan In the western part of the Eurasian Regional Monetary Asia Pacific University) and Prof. Mu- continent, the European Union is tak- rase Tetsuji (Kyôto University) provid- ing shape and emerging as a kind of Cooperation in East ed an outline for the creation of a com- would-be, self-contained political, eco- Asia mon Asian or Asia-Pacific currency. nomic and cultural actor vis-à-vis Ja- (Tôkyô, 7 December 2001) The commentators, Cornelis Keijzer pan, Asia and the rest of the World. (Delegation of the European Commis- This new entity seems to be developing The recent conclusion of various swap sion in Japan), Orii Keisuke (JBIC Insti- a new post-national identity. Recently, agreements between Japan and other tute), Prof. Kinoshita Toshihiko (Wase- with respect to relations between Japan and the countries that constitute the East Asian countries within the frame- da University), and Christian work of the Chiang Mai Initiative of Schröppel (DIJ), helped to stimulate European Union, one can observe in various sectors a new form of dena- May 2000 shows that the trend towards the discussion by giving their views on strengthened regional monetary and the presentations. Hanns Günther tionalisation. The new DIJ publication series shall stay abreast of these chang- financial cooperation in East Asia has Hilpert (DIJ) summarized the discus- es and take into consideration any fu- gained renewed momentum. The proc- sion and outlined the main conclusions ture developments. However, the US ess of regional cooperation is set to drawn by the participants of the sym- has been and will remain a point of make further headway, according to a posium. recently published report by the comparison for both Japan and Eu- ASEAN+3 East Asia Vision Group, en- rope. titled “Towards an East Asian Commu- The new DIJ publication series nity”. The DIJ contributed to the ongo- shall also constitute a discussion forum ing debate on this issue with the DIJ for those doing historical, contempo- Symposium “Regional Monetary Co- NEW DIJ SERIES rary, and comparative research on Ger- operation: Is East Asia Following the man-Japanese and European-Japanese European Model?”, organized by Han- relations. Multidisciplinary and inter- ns Günther Hilpert and Christian disciplinary research, Beziehungsfor- “Japan and Europe. schung Schröppel of the DIJ and supported by (research on the history of inter- the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Co- Historical Relations national/diplomatic relations), and operation. and Comparative Einflußforschung (research on the for- As a result of the presentations and Studies” eign influence of domestic develop- the discussion it was concluded that, ments), as well as comparative re- while major differences between the search, are all on an equal footing and European and the Asian setting have to The German Institute for Japanese can also be dealt with in an integrated be considered carefully, East Asia can Studies (DIJ) has launched a new pub- fashion. Our primary concern is to draw a number of important lessons lication series entitled Japan and Europe: bring together fragmented research ef- from the European experience of mon- Historical Relations and Comparative forts in the field of German/European- etary integration. With members of Studies . This sci- Japanese relations and comparative several embassies as well as a number entific publication series is Japan-relat- studies, to offer a joint platform and to of academics in the audience of ap- ed and thus multidisciplinary as well stimulate further research. The new se- ries will appear irregularly. Potential proximately 30 people, the event pro- as interdisciplinary. The research spec- contributors may contact the editor, vided an opportunity to exchange trum includes the humanities, the so- Matthias Koch, at any time by mail or views in an open and relaxed atmos- cial sciences, and economics. Japan-re- directly via e-mail: [email protected]. phere. lated contributions from the natural Following the welcoming address sciences, the engineering sciences and by Prof. Irmela Hijiya-Kirschnereit (Di- the medical sciences are also most wel-

4 DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 market, which is quite a worrying Ulrich Möhwald: Changing Atti- DIJ PUBLICATIONS prospect for Japan’s economic and po- tudes towards Gender Equality in litical elites. On the macro level, China Japan and Germany. München: Iudi- Hanns Günther Hilpert; René Haak is challenging Japan as East Asia’s cium (Japan and Europe. Historical (eds): Japan and China: Coopera- center of economic gravity in terms of Relations and Comparative Stud- tion, Competition and Conflict. Bas- production and markets. Considering ies), 2002. 146 pp. (A 5) (ISBN 3- ingstoke, New York: Palgrave, 2002. the increasing economic and political 89129-870-6). 231 pp. (ISBN 0-333-97038-1). importance of China, the crucial ques- tion arises: What kind of relationship between Japan and China will evolve? Will it tend to be cooperative or conflic- tive? Economic relations between Japan and China have been the centerpiece of the research program of the Economic Section of the German Institute for Jap- anese Studies (DIJ) over the last years, focusing especially on foreign trade, strategic management and human re- source development. Hence, this pub- lication brings together up-to-date re- search by a number of renowned Asian and European scholars and presents documentation, analysis, and an eval- uation of the various micro- and macroeconomic aspects of the Sino- Japanese relationship. By elaborating comprehensively on trade, investment, economic cooperation, management activities and strategies, among other This book deals with the change and topics, the book closes a gap in the structure of attitudes concerning gen- All through the 1990s Japan and China landscape of Sino-Japanese literature, der roles and gender equality in Japan experienced diverging courses of eco- which is usually more concerned with and Germany after World War II. Ex- nomic fortune. The economic super- history, politics and security. It will cer- amining the Japanese case gives us in- power Japan, following the collapse of tainly prove useful as an essential tool sight into long-term processes of its stock and real estate markets, went for academics and those doing busi- changes in gender-related attitudes in through a decade of enduring econom- ness in East Asia. highly industrialized societies, because ic stagnation and most of Japan’s in- gender-related attitudes have long dustry has not been able to keep pace CONTRIBUTIONS: I. Hijiya-Kirschnereit: been the subject of opinion polls, with with the high growth and rapid pro- Foreword· H.G. Hilpert and R. Haak: cross-sectional data for the late 1940s ductivity gains of its main competitors Introduction · C.H. Kwan: The Rise of and early 1950s, and time series data in the US. In contrast, China has sus- China as an Economic Power: Implica- since the early 1970s. Nevertheless, in tained high economic growth rates of tions for Asia and Japan · H.G. Hilpert: the case of Japan, we have to take into around ten percent per annum and China and Japan: Conflict or Coopera- account a number of peculiarities that Chinese firms have gained dominant tion? What does Trade Data say? · K. set her apart from other highly indus- world market shares in an increasing Nakagane: Japanese Direct Investment trialized societies. It is common wis- number of industrial sectors. As a re- in China: Its Effects On China’s Eco- dom that Japanese modernization pro- sult, China’s developmental gap with nomic Development · D. Bhattasali and ceeded from economic, political, social, the leading industrialized countries M. Kawai: Implications of China’s Ac- moral and religious traditions that narrowed substantially, and China has cession to the World Trade Organiza- were quite different from the Western achieved stature as a center of regional tion · M. Taube: Japan’s Role in China’s ones, and that have still strongly per- political and economic power. Industrialization · J. Inada: Japan’s sisted well into the post-World War II Both in international business and ODA: Its Impacts on China’s Industri- era. We therefore might expect consid- in international economics, it is widely alization and Sino-Japanese Relations · erable variation if we compare the de- recognized that the current rise of Chi- Y. Kameyama: Will Global Warming velopment of gender-related attitudes na has wide implications for the inter- Affect Sino-Japan Relations? · R. Haak: in Japan with that in Western societies. national economic and political order Japanese Business Strategies towards Such a comparison, with Germany, is in general and for the East Asian region China – A Theoretical Approach · T. attempted in this work. Marukawa: Japanese FDI and China’s in particular. From this broadly accept- The approach adopted in this paper ed assessment the obvious conclusion Industrial Development in the Auto- is strictly exploratory. It mainly deals mobile, Electronics and Textile Indus- follows that Japan, more than any oth- with the exploration of patterns of gen- er major industrialized country, is fac- tries · Y. Zhu: The Role of the Overseas der-role attitudes and values on the mi- ing the challenge of an economically Chinese in the Sino-Japanese Economic cro level. Its aim is to understand the Relationship. and politically successful China. Chi- processes of change in the two societies, na’s industry, with its low sales prices as well as the similarities and differenc- and its improving product quality, is es between them based on the interpre- set to become a major competitor in tation of empirical evidence. Of partic- global manufacturing products’ mar- ular interest are combinations and kets, including the Japanese domestic mixtures of attitudes and values relat-

DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 5 ed to gender roles by various popula- netics of old Japanese and the semiotics tion subgroups and the features of of modern T-shirt-slogans. Listing eve- these subgroups. In order to gain a rything that appeared between 1794 broader understanding of the process- and 2000, this bibliography, together es of change in gender-related values with Dictionaries and Glossaries: A Par- and attitudes, it first analyzes the long- tially Annotated Bibliography of Japanese- term development of gender-role atti- German and German-Japanese Works of tudes in postwar Japan based on the Reference (Bibliographical Series, vol. results of various Japanese opinion 5), attains the first complete coverage polls. Then it undertakes an analysis of of German-language publications on the items related to gender equality in Japanese. The bibliography is indexed the 1991 survey by the German Insti- by title, author and subject. The appen- tute for Japanese Studies. The fourth dices offer some 300 pertinent book- section deals with the development reviews and 62 works on the Ainu-lan- and structure of gender-role attitudes guage. in Germany, mainly based on the data from the German General Social Sur- vey and the 1988 ISSP Survey on ‘Fam- ily and Changing Gender Roles.’ Final- Japanstudien – Jahrbuch des Deut- ly, it compares Japanese, West German schen Instituts für Japanstudien der and East German gender-role con- Philipp Franz von Siebold Stiftung, sciousness, based on the German and Band 13 [Japanstudien – Yearbook Japanese data of the 1994 ISSP Survey. of the German Institute for Japa- lichkeiten [Living Conditions of the nese Studies, Volume 13]. Mün- Urban Middle Class 1905–1970: Ideals chen: Iudicium 2001, 539 pp. (ISBN and Realities] · C. Brumann: Machiya 3-89129-376-3). vs. manshon: Notizen vom Kyôtoer Harald Suppanschitsch; Jürgen Häuserkampf [Machiya vs. manshon: Stalph: Japanische Sprache und In December 2001, volume 13 of the DIJ Analyzing Kyôto’s Townscape Dis- Schrift. Eine Bibliographie des in yearbook Japanstudien was published. putes] · W. Klauser: Anders Wohnen deutscher Sprache veröffentlichten This year’s volume focuses on the topic auf der Etage – neue Entwicklungen im Schrifttums. Mit zwei Anhängen: I. „Living Conditions in Japan: Markets, japanischen Wohnungsbau [“Living Rezensionen, II. Ainu-Sprache [Japa- Lifestyles, Forms of Dwelling“. Hous- Differently”: New Trends in Japanese nese Language and Script. A Biblio- ing and living conditions not only re- Apartment Development] · C. Hein: graphy of Material Published in flect basic human needs, they also are Toshikeikaku and Machizukuri in Japa- German Language. 2 Appendices: I. an expression for the complex and var- nese Urban Planning: The Reconstruc- Reviews, II. Ainu Language]. Mün- ied lifestyles in a society and culture. tion of Inner City Neighborhoods in chen: Iudicium (Bibliographische Ar- Economic, social, demographic and en- Kôbe · U. Nennstiel: Singles in Japan: beiten aus dem Deutschen Institut vironmental developments have Motor gesellschaftlicher Veränderun- für Japanstudien der Philipp Franz brought along significant changes in gen, Protagonisten neuer Lebensfor- von Siebold Stiftung; 7), 2001, terms of lifestyles and forms of dwell- men? [Singles in Japan: Engines of So- x/360 pp. (ISBN 3-89129-399-2). ing – changes which are receiving cial Change and Protagonists of New growing academic attention and are re- Forms of Living and Dwelling?] · K. flected, for instance, in the increase of Fujita: Urban Development and Finan- HARALD SUPPANSCHITSCH research in the field of urban studies. cial Centers in the Global Economy: UND JÜRGEN STALPH The eight contributions in volume 13 of Tôkyô, Frankfurt and New York · G. Japanstudien relating to the major topic Vogt: Alle Macht dem Volk? Das di- Japanische Sprache und Schrift discuss such questions from a multi- rektdemokratische Instrument als Eine Bibliographie des in deutscher and inter-disciplinary perspective and Chance für das politische System Ja- Sprache veröffentlichten Schrifttums approach a wide range of issues related pans [“All Power to the People”? The to changing forms of living and life- Instrument of Direct Democracy as an styles in Japan. Moreover, Japanstudien Opportunity for Japan’s Political Sys- includes five articles on various other tem] · F. Robaschik und N. Yoshino: A topics, as well as ten book reviews of Comparative Analysis of the Japanese German, English and Japanese publi- and the German Public Banking Sys- cations. tems · M. Koch: Neubewertung der Bibliographische Arbeiten Kernenergie in Japan zu Beginn des 21. aus dem CONTRIBUTIONS: I. Hijiya-Kirschnereit: Jahrhunderts? [Reconsidering Japan’s Deutschen Institut für Japanstudien Vorwort [Foreword] · H. Conrad und S. Nuclear Policy at the Beginning of the der Saaler: Wohnen in Japan: Markt, Le- 21st Century] · D. Chiavacci: Die sozia- Philipp Franz von Siebold Stiftung bensformen, Wohnverhältnisse [Living le Konstruktion des japanischen Reise- Conditions in Japan: Markets, Life- marktes in der -Zeit [The Social Band 7 2001 styles, and Forms of Dwelling] · S. Tea- Construction of the Japanese Travel sley: Nation, Modernity and Interior Market During the ] · O. Decoration: Uncanny Designs in the Loidl: Anmerkungen zu Yamana Jirô Listing 2,150 titles in alphabetically ar- 1922 Peace Commemoration Tôkyô (1864–1957) und seinem Konzept der ranged categories, this bibliography Exposition Culture Village Houses · R. “Gesellschaftserziehung” [Notes Con- presents an overview of works in Ger- Mathias und K. Schmidtpott: Wohn- cerning Yamana Jirô (1864–1957) and man on the subject of Japanese, includ- verhältnisse der städtischen Mittel- his Concept of “Social Education”] · ing aspects as wide-ranging as the pho- schicht 1905–1970: Bilder und Wirk- REZENSIONEN [BOOK REVIEWS].

6 DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 Philologies and Area Ken’ichi (Ôsaka University) was dedi- REPORTS ON cated to an exchange of information CONFERENCES Studies – Responding and experience in order to draw a more to the Challenges of differentiated picture of the situation in Change various cultural, regional and discipli- Kan-Nihonkai Gakkai ô nary contexts. This should serve as a Dai-7-kai Gakujutsu (Ky to, 10 December 2001) basis for theoretical considerations aiming at a new profile for the former Kenkyu11-taikai One generation ago, classical national philologies. The first part of the sym- (Toyama, 10/11 November 2001) philologies such as Germanistik (Ger- posium therefore thematized the man language and literature studies), present state of a number of disci- The 7th International Symposium of Romanistik (Romance languages and plines. Commonalities as well as dif- the Association for the Japan Sea Rim literatures studies) or Anglistik (Eng- ferences were outlined. Mishima, in his Studies (Kan-Nihonkai Gakkai Dai-7- lish studies), but also East Asia-related introductory remarks, ironically titled kai Gakujutsu Kenkyû-taikai) took disciplines such as Japanology and Si- “From the perspective of a non-mem- place in Toyama on 10 and 11 Novem- nology have opened up, after a partial- ber of the trade,” presented a number ber 2001. The Association for the Japan ly painful process of identity negotia- of mercilessly penetrating observa- Sea Rim Studies was founded in 1992 tions, in the direction of a number of tions on tendencies of decentering and in order to deal with questions of re- new approaches and methodologies defocusing in the former philologies gional integration and cooperation and such as structuralism, Marxism, socio- during what he called the “permanent to promote academic and cultural ex- logical and psycho-analytical theories. transition period” of present times. In change between countries and regions The adaptation of these approaches his contribution titled “The intercultur- around the Japan Sea. differed from field to field. Thus, Ger- al dimension of cultural studies in for- This year’s symposium consisted man language and literature studies eign language philologies. Concepts, of 4 panels (history and exchange, for- had to attempt at “overcoming” its ori- methods, and perspectives of develop- eign policy and diplomacy, economics, entation within national categories as a ment,” Hans-Jürgen Lüsebrink (Uni- and the environment) with 22 presen- consequence of an ideology-critical versities of Saarbrücken and Montréal) tations by Japanese, Korean, Chinese discussion of its history, whereas in Ro- presented theoretical proposals as to and Russian scholars. The keynote mance philology, a semiotic orienta- how to confront the aporias and chal- speech with the title “Regional Ex- tion became dominant. In some cases, lenges of de-nationalization, de-terri- change in North-East Asia in the New the authority of native speaker philolo- torialization and globalization in con- Millenium” was delivered by Chi gy was critically questioned. temporary societies and cultures. From Myong-kwan, board director of the In spite of all regional, national and the perspective of General and Com- South Korean broadcasting station disciplinary differences, however, one parative Literature Studies, Josef KBS, president of the Japan-Korea Cul- aspect persisted as a common basis be- Fürnkäs (Keiô University) pleaded, tural Exchange Council and Director of yond challenge, i.e., the central role of “For a transcultural study of literature the Institute of Japanese Studies of Hal- language command and thus of – How a new approach in the study of lym University in South Korea. Chi knowledge of text. The canon, too, in literature can be developed from the emphasized the increasing need for ex- spite of or even because of it being con- anticipated death of national philolo- change on the non-statist level in view stantly criticized, continued to exist as gies”. Irmela Hijiya-Kirschnereit (DIJ of current events, such as the renewed a topic to be discussed. Tôkyô, Freie Universität Berlin) history textbook debate, which threat- During the past decade or so, in sketched “Tendencies of language ened to damage exchange and bilateral which these disciplines were submit- abandonment in Western (or German) relations in the region. According to ted to a wholesale redefinition, both of Japanology and Sinology,” highlight- Chi, however, civil society appears to these preconditions became obsolete. ing the internal discussion of the field have prevailed, and the recovering ex- Neither in cultural nor in post-colonial which can be read even from such de- change activities already have led to a studies does language acquisition play tails as the various new denominations new climate of peace and cooperation a central role. Likewise, the canon is no of the respective fields. She also hinted in Northeast Asia. longer criticized but is simply aban- at some of the problematic conse- Sven Saaler represented the DIJ on doned. The corpus of texts, formerly quences of an adaptation to relatively the conference and gave a presentation the object of subtle and complex short-term demands from ‘society’ and in the panel “History/Exchange” hermeneutic operations, gives way to the positioning of the field in the aca- about “The ‘German Advance to the other forms of expression such as fash- demic landscape. Engelhard Weigl East’ as a turning point for Japan’s for- ion, cityscapes, film, gender-specific (Universities of Adelaide and Tôkyô), eign policy during World War I,” in discrimination, racisms, etc. As a in his statement on “Tendencies of lan- which he interpreted Japan’s Siberia vague tendency we may diagnose a guage abandonment in Australian policy of 1917/18 as the first example withdrawal from the fad of sociologi- studies of German language and litera- of a Japanese attempt to build a region- zation towards a predominance of ture” made the surprising observation al hegemony in the region around the “cultural” studies. Anything goes, that in spite of a continuous but quiet Japan Sea, thereby tracing the origins with the exception, it seems, of linguis- reduction of the field, a re-orientation of this effort to the Taishô period. tic entanglements. Thus, a distancing hardly seems to be taking place. In con- The interdisciplinary and interna- from languages appears to be an irre- trast to this situation, Ônuki Atsuko tionally organized symposia of the As- versible development in former philo- (Gakushûin University, Tôkyô), in face sociation for the Japan Sea Rim Studies logical disciplines, albeit in combina- of the death of conventional German are usually well received and contrib- tion with a growing hegemony of studies, stressed Japanese efforts at a ute to the deepening of regional ex- English. radical re-construction of the field in change. One-hundred fifty researchers, Against this backdrop of problems, the context of European studies, as mainly from Japan, Korea and China, a symposium planned and moderated well as within a new theoretical frame- attended this year’s conference. by social philosopher Mishima work.

DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 7 The second part of the symposium, The main conference offered different sion to model Japan’s first modern which took place at the Goethe Insti- viewpoints on issues in “media in Ja- constitution on the Prussian constitu- tute Inter Nationes Kansai in Kyôto pan,” organised in five sections: cultur- tion, German influence on Japan was with an audience of mostly academic al studies/media & popular culture, increasing. specialists, was dedicated to an in- economics, sociology, political science In later life, Michaelis told his depth panel discussion. At the outset, & education, and urban & regional grandchildren that his experiences in Takahashi Teruaki (Rikkyô University, studies. Hanns Günther Hilpert (DIJ) Japan had been a decisive preparatory Tôkyô), President of the Japanese Soci- chaired one of the panels on econom- step toward his later career. His letters, ety for German Studies, gave a general ics. Speakers included Harada Takeshi mostly to his mother, notes in his diary, comment on all the papers. The discus- (Japanese Consulate), Gunther Schnabl and other documents written in those sion revolved around the change of (Tübingen /Stanford), Franz Walden- days have been edited by Bert Becker. self-definition in the respective fields, berger (Munich) as well as Andreas Michaelis gives a vivid and exten- their relationships to the public, and Moerke from the DIJ economics sec- sive account of his impressions of Ja- tion. Moerke argued that a short-term the pragmatic consequences of present pan and its people, as well as of his life developments. In a lively debate, theo- solution of the economic crisis as and work at the Doitsugaku Kyôkai promised by the Japanese government retical concepts formed one cluster of Gakkô, of his contacts within the small is impossible because the amount of topics, while questions of the politics of German colony in Tôkyô and Yokoha- the “bad loans” is not known, nor were academia as well as practical problems ma, and of his commitment to the ac- concerted measures taken by the insti- in connection with the function of lan- tivities of the German protestant tutions in charge. guage teaching were also thematized. church and of the German East Asia In the politics section of the confer- The discussion opened into considera- Society (OAG). His letters provide ence, Patrick Köllner (Institut für tions for a re-configuration of textual firsthand information on the Doitsuga- Asienkunde, Hamburg) discussed the studies as a basic discipline in area ku Kyôkai Gakkô, its German teachers, personnel politics of public broadcast- studies that will provide a fundamen- and their dealings with the school’s ing agencies in Germany and Japan, tal portal to research on a culture Japanese students. Becoming vice- through the “cultural technique of while Verena Blechinger (DIJ) argued that Japanese members of parliament principal of the school in the summer reading”. of 1887, Michaelis also contributed ef- tend to use the Internet for self-por- trayal rather than for interactive ex- fectively towards realizing the accept- ance of the German method of educa- change with their voters. tion in law. Thus, from 1888 on, the The next annual conference will take place on 21–24 November 2002 in Ministry of Justice employed gradu- ates of the Doitsugaku Kyôkai Gakkô, Annual Conference Wittenberg with the topic “Japan in the 1990s.” some of whom became judges without of the German Asso- further examinations. ciation for Social At the same time, in his letters Science Research on Michaelis proves himself a self-confi- dent representative of the educated Japan classes of Germany. A conservative (Berlin, 13–16 December 2001) Prussian nationalist he was convinced of German superiority. With regard to The Annual Conference of the German BOOK REVIEW Japan and Japanese he doesn’t restrain Association for Social Science Research himself from mocking comments on on Japan (VSJF) was held at the Japa- Bert Becker (ed.): Georg Michaelis. this non-Christian, uncivilized nation nese-German Center Berlin with the ti- that, as he repeatedly emphasizes, Ein preußischer Jurist im Japan der tle “The Media in Japan.” Among the Meiji-Zeit. Briefe, Tagebuchnotizen, would never play an important part in 143 participants of the conference, four Dokumente 1885–1889 [Georg Asia. Moreover, his offensive remarks researchers from the DIJ also presented Michaelis. A Prussian Jurist in Meiji on Jewish people, above all on Prus- their work in various sections and Japan. Letters, Diary Notes, Docu- sian jurist Albert Mosse, show a plain workshops. ments 1885–1889]. München: Iudi- anti-Semitic attitude intensified by his Two workshops were scheduled cium (Eine Publikation der OAG envy of Mosses influential position as ahead of the conference itself: the “Sec- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Natur- legal adviser to the Japanese govern- ond Workshop on Order and Organisa- und Völkerkunde Ostasiens To11kyo1),1 ment. Altogether, as the editor rightly tion in Japanese Economy,” and “Gen- 2001. ISBN 3-89129-650-9. 678 pp., points out in his introduction, Michae- der Studies on Japan.” The latter, hardback, € 30,–, SFr 52,–. lis’ thinking and attitude reflect the organised by Ilse Lenz (Bochum), Mae typical spirit of the time in Germany. Michiko (Düsseldorf), and Karin Klose Like many other compatriots who The readers may also take into account (Bochum / Düsseldorf), celebrated its served as advisers or teachers in Meiji that the letters were written by an am- 10th anniversary with the topic of Japan, Georg Michaelis (1857–1936) bitious young man who obviously “Concepts of Power and Gender Rela- would have hardly been remembered tried to entertain his widowed and ail- tions in East Asia.” DIJ researcher An- in Germany if he hadn’t become Impe- ing mother with amusing descriptions drea Germer gave a presentation titled rial Chancellor for fifteen weeks in of his experiences abroad, and who “Between Empowerment and Co-opta- 1917. As a young man Michaelis spent was eager to show what had become of tion: Maternalistic Concepts in Japan” almost four years in Japan (1885–1889) her son. which offered a historical and theore- teaching German law at the Doitsuga- But through the years Michaelis’ tical overview over heterogeneous ku Kyôkai Gakkô, a private school for initial poor opinion of Japan gradually conceptionalisations of maternalist higher education based on German sci- changed into better understanding. In thought, each based on the demand for ences. Michaelis’ employment be- the end he developed a certain liking women’s participation in society. longed to an era when, after the deci- for things Japanese; thus, towards the

8 DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 end of his stay, he even regretted hav- Dr. René Haak was appointed Econom- tional relations, Dr. Blechinger initiat- ing to leave the country behind. ics Group Manager of the German Insti- ed and conducted for four years the DIJ While his unpleasant remarks tute for Japanese Studies in November Social Science Study Group, a monthly sometimes put one off from reading his 2001. forum for young researchers and Ph.D. informative letters, it is well worth candidates in the field of social scienc- reading Michaelis’ reports of his jour- After five years as a research fellow, es. neys. He is never so enthusiastic about Dr. Verena Blechinger left the DIJ at the Since October 1999, she has been a anything Japanese as he is when writ- end of January 2002. Dr. Blechinger visiting lecturer at the Institute of Polit- ing about the country’s nature. His de- was also head of the DIJ’s Social Sci- ical Science, Münster University, Ger- tailed descriptions of his journey to ence Section from October 1999 and many, where she is teaching regular Hokkaidô and to the Kuril Islands to- Deputy Director of the Institute from intensive courses. gether with Alexander von Siebold April 2001. Since April 2000, she has been an and Julius Scriba are unique and most Her areas of research at the Insti- editorial board member of Social Sci- informative. Michaelis not only de- tute were the Japanese political system, ence Japan Journal, a refereed journal scribes Ainu and their life, but he also especially government-business rela- jointly published by the Institute of So- mentions his encounter with the Eng- tions, and political finance. Building on cial Science, , and lish natural scientist John Henry Leech her dissertation on political corruption, Oxford University Press. (Michaelis writes “Leesh”). In this con- she also worked on political reform in After leaving the DIJ, Dr. text, it would have been more conven- Japan. In July 1998, she organized an Blechinger will continue her work on a ient for the reader if the editor had put international DIJ conference in Tôkyô postdoctoral thesis required for uni- the conversions of the Japanese linear on the topic of “Political Reform in Ja- versity professorships in Germany (ha- measure ri into kilometres directly be- pan – Entering a New Era of Japanese bilitation). In this research, she will ex- hind the ri, rather than adding them to Democracy?” The papers presented at plore other dimensions of the the annotations. this conference built the basis of an ed- relationship between political parties With this volume Becker presents a ited volume on Japanese political re- and interest groups. Her research fo- thoroughly annotated collection of form in the 1990s which will be pub- cuses on the transition of longterm rul- source material. Apart from some inac- lished in the DIJ Monograph series ing parties in opposition. As basis for curacies regarding historical data on later this year. comparison, she will look at the five Japan, there are quite a lot of German Participating in the DIJ research fo- parliamentary democracies in the G-8 expressions explained in the annota- cus on “Japan in Asia,” Dr. Blechinger group of advanced industrialized de- tions, even though they are still used analyzed the influence of domestic in- mocracies, Germany, Japan, the UK, It- nowadays. Becker’s comprehensive in- terest groups, especially from big busi- aly, and Canada. troduction includes detailed informa- ness, on foreign policy decision mak- tion on Michaelis and his family as well ing processes in Japan. Together with as additional explanations of Michae- Jochen Legewie, she organized an in- lis’ account to gain added perspective ternational DIJ conference in October on his experiences and descriptions. 1998 on the topic of “Regional Cooper- Dissertation Fellows As a compilation of valuable con- ation in Asia.” The revised conference temporary documents, this volume is contributions were published in the co- Michael Wachutka, Japanese Studies, recommended, along with the diary of edited volume “Facing Asia – Japan’s Ph.D. Candidate at Eberhard-Karls- Erwin Bälz and the collection of Albert Role in the Political and Economic Dy- Universität Tübingen: “Iida Takesato and Lina Mosse’s letters, to all those namism of Regional Cooperation” (DIJ (1827–1900) and the ‘Great Japan Aca- interested in German influence on Ja- Monograph Series Vol. 24). demic Association’ (Ôyashima-gak- pan. Besides co-organizing and partici- kai)”, November 2001 – October 2002. (Junko Ando) pating in various workshops and con- ference panels on Japanese domestic Christian W. Spang, History, Ph.D. politics, political finance, and interna- Candidate at Albert-Ludwigs-Universi-

OTHER MATTERS/ OUTLOOK

Personnel News

In October 2001, Matthias Hoop be- came head librarian of the DIJ library. He was a research fellow at the East Asian Institute of Free University of Berlin (1993–97). Recently, he worked as a freelance translator for various maga- zines, publishing companies, and insti- tutes. Book publication: Doppelspiel der Narration. Text, Autor und Protagonist in der Erzählung “Kozô no yume” von Taniza- ki Jun’ichirô, 1994. “Japan’s mountain” Mt. Fuji was the center of interest in Prof. Toby’s lecture at the DIJ Forum.

DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002 9 ty, Freiburg i. Br.: “Karl Haushofer and Japan. An analysis of the reception of his transcontinental-block theory in Germany and Japan 1909–1945,” De- cember 2001 – September 2002.

DIJ Forum

Ronald Toby, Professor of Korean and Japanese history at the University of Tokyo, and Professor of History, East Asian Studies, and Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign: “The Foreign Side of Fuji: Internationalizing the Mountain in Early-Modern Discourse” (13 Decem- ber 2001).

J. Victor Koschmann, Professor of Jap- anese History at Cornell University: “Hakone Conference Revisited: Mod- ernization and the Civil Society School in Postwar Japan” (21 February 2002).

Social Science Study Group

As Dr. Verena Blechinger has left the institute at the end of January, the DIJ Social Science Study Group she found- ed will be continued by Dr. Harald Conrad und Dr. Isa Ducke. As before, the study group is scheduled for every last Wednesday of the month at the DIJ. It is meant as an informal forum for young scholars and Ph.D. candidates in the field of Social Sciences. Please refer to the DIJ homepage for the cur- rent program.

Published by: IUDICIUM Verlag GmbH, Hans-Grässel-Weg 13, D–81375 München. Printed by: Strauss Offset- druck GmbH, Robert-Bosch-Str. 6–8, D–69509 Mörlenbach. Publication dates: each June, October, February; not on sale in bookshops.

10 DIJ Newsletter FEBRUARY 2002