The Japanese empire in East Asia and its postwar legacy

Scholars from Europe, Asia, and the United States assess the historical significance of Japan's empire within the frameworks of imperialism, nationalism, totalitarianism, modernity, and war. They utilize new primary sources to offer nuanced perspectives on Japan-East Asia interactions, organized into three main themes: the domestic foundations of Japanese imperialism, the operation of the Japanese empire in East Asia, and its postwar legacy. The domestic foundations are explored through the role of Asia in Japan's metropolitan politics, the pursuit of pan-Asianism and technocracy, and the establishment of elite networks to support imperialist ambitions. The workings of Japanese imperialism are analyzed through topics such as anti-Japanese boycotts, conflicts within the Japanese community in China, and sub-imperialist economic expansion in Taiwan. The discussion of the empire's postwar legacy focuses on its impact on Sino-Japanese relations, including economic cooperation, Japan's early Cold War China policy, and the reestablishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations. The contributions include an overview of Japan's political landscape, visions of pan-Asianism, and the dynamics of economic expansionism, culminating in reflections on Japan's role in Northeast Asia during the postwar period.