Kisaburo Yokota 1896–1993: The Trajectory of Realist Peace Theory

2019/02/07

It was about half a century ago, but when I was a master's student at the Juku Graduate School of Law, I took the liberty of asking Professor Tadao Ishikawa about the types of people who become researchers. I still vividly remember what Professor Ishikawa told me then.

It was as follows: There can be three types of researchers from now on. The first is the sharp-witted type. The second is the type who enlightens public opinion through the mass media. The third is the type who steadily researches a single theme for three years or more. Therefore, you too can become a researcher.

Professor Ishikawa did not say which type I belonged to, but I unhesitatingly saw myself as the third type. Since then, under the guidance of the late Professor Fuji Kamiya and Professor Masaru Ikei, I have led a steady research life, keeping in mind that "persistence is power."

My doctoral thesis, "A Study of the Institute of Pacific Relations" (Keio University Press, 2003, Shigeru Yoshida Award), "Pioneer of Private Exchange: Eiichi Shibusawa's National Diplomacy" (Fujiwara Shoten, 2013), and "Kisaburo Yokota 1896–1993: The Trajectory of Realist Peace Theory," published last year, constitute my trilogy on private exchange.

The Institute of Pacific Relations (IPR) was an international private exchange organization in the Pacific Rim region established in 1925 and positioned as one of the world's three major conferences alongside the League of Nations and the Pan-American Conference. Shibusawa was the chairman of its Japanese branch, and Yokota, a member, was a rare figure who maintained his criticism of the military from the standpoint of a liberal pacifist following the Manchurian Incident in 1931.

However, strangely enough, in the postwar period, Yokota has been subjected to harsh criticism for changing his stance.

Could someone who risked their life to challenge the military during the war change their principles after the war when freedom was restored? I want to examine Yokota's values. That was the motivation for writing "Kisaburo Yokota."

As a result, this book has become suggestive for considering today's Japan. The reason is that, for example, now that we are transitioning to a new era name, we reconsider the Emperor. Now that the government is aiming for constitutional amendment, we reconsider Article 9 and Japan's security. We reconsider the issues of thought and speech in a Japan that is shifting to the right. In doing so, Yokota's way of thinking and arguments are rich in insight.

In that sense, I would be grateful if you would read this book.

Kisaburo Yokota 1896–1993: The Trajectory of Realist Peace Theory

Nobuo Katagiri (Author)

Fujiwara Shoten

272 pages, 3,200 yen (excluding tax)

*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.