Visiting Professor Prof. Dr Naoko Shimazu

The Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), according to its charter, develops co-operation with foreign partners in order to internationalize its activities and participate in international networks of academic institutions in fields represented by its three research centers.

Scholars from the IKMAS’ Centre of Occidental Studies (iKON), as responsible for research and educational activities concerning the western world, build up the net of partners in Europe and North America. They create possibilities for the strengthening reputation of IKMAS as internationally recognized institute involved in all aspects of the academic life. In this context, it is important to foster direct contacts with representatives of European and North American academic centers.

Prof. Dr Naoko Shimazu from the Department of History, Classics and Archaeology, Birkbeck, University of London (UK) will come to IKMAS as a visiting lecturer to give a talk ‘What sort of war was the First World War for Japan?’ She will speak about the part play by Japan, the only true Asian great power of that time, in the Great War and its impact on Japanese society. Prof. Shimazu will provide listeners with an interesting – Asian – reference point regarding the conflict which is known mainly as the European war. Prof. Shimazu’s seminar will be one of events accompanying the centennial commemorative conference ‘Re-visiting World War I’ organized by the Center of European Studies (iKON) of IKMAS.

Abstract:

Mainstream historiography of Japan in the First World War generally does not employ the framework of ‘Japan at war’. More often than not, the war is defined as the ‘European War’ (Ōshū sensō) or even the ‘Japan-German War’ (Nichidoku sensō) betraying Japan’s limited combatant role. However, it was also the Japanese who had recognized the global nature of the war as early as September 1914, by referring to it as the ‘Great World War’ (sekai taisen). Unlike many Western powers, Japan was a well-practised combatant state by 1914, having won two international wars in 1894-95 and 1904-5. Hence, we see threads of continuity in Japanese wartime activities connecting the 1914-18 experiences to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-5, for example, in Japan’s ‘diplomacy of humanitarianism’ over its treatment of the POWs from the siege of Qingdao. For the Japanese military observers, the First World War was pivotal in gaining first-hand observations, which formed the basis of Japan’s future vision for a ‘total war’ (sōryokusen). The story of Japan’s involvement is integral to the global story of ‘modern societies at war’, as Japan became a foremost practitioner of a fashionable contemporary thinking that prioritized a strong military in the construction of an ideal modern society.