U.S. Leadership, History, and Bilateral Relations in Northeast Asia

This book explores the rising importance of history in reshaping international relations in Northeast Asia.

Gilbert Rozman (Edited by)

9780521190565, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 October 2010

246 pages, 3 b/w illus. 1 table
23.5 x 16 x 2 cm, 0.54 kg

“An excellent contribution to the growing literature on how historical memory shapes the international politics of Northeast Asia. In an era of shifting regional power balances, this volume makes a compelling case for greater U.S. leadership in the process of historical reconciliation.”
—Mike Mochizuki, George Washington University

Whereas most discussions of history have centered on the rift between China and Japan, this book focuses on three other divisions stemming from deep-seated memories within Northern Asia, which increasingly will test U.S. diplomacy and academic analysis. The first division involves long-suppressed Japanese and South Korean memories that are critical of U.S. behavior – concerning issues such as the atomic bombings, the Tokyo Tribunal, and the Korean War. The second division is the enduring disagreement between Japan and South Korea over history. What can the United States do to invigorate urgently needed trilateral ties? The third and most important division is the revival of a sinocentric worldview, which foretells a struggle between China and other countries concerning history, one that has already begun in China's dispute with South Korea and is likely to implicate the United States above all.

1. Introduction Gilbert Rozman
Part I. Historical Memories and Bilateral Ties with Allies: 2. Japan's historical memory toward the United States Kazuhiko Togo
3. Values and history in US-South Korean relations Gi-wook Shin
4. US leadership, history, and relations with allies Gilbert Rozman
Part II. Historical Memories, Japanese-South Korean Relations, and US Values: 5. Japan-South Korea relations and the role of the United States on history Kazuhiko Togo
6. Getting away or getting in?: US strategic options in the historical controversy between its allies Cheol Hee Park
7. US strategic thinking on the Japanese-South Korean historical dispute Gilbert Rozman
Part III. Historical Memories, Sino-South Korean Relations, and US Values: 8. Sino-South Korean differences over Koguryo and the US role Jin Linbo
9. New grounds for contestation: South Korea's Koguryo-era historical dramas and Sino-Korean relations Scott Snyder
10. US strategic thinking on Sino-South Korean differences over history Gilbert Rozman.

Subject Areas: International relations [JPS], Politics & government [JP], History of the Americas [HBJK], Asian history [HBJF]