Seminar Series: Reexaminations of Major Issues in Modern Japanese Politics and Diplomacy

Join the Japan Program for our 2025 spring quarter seminar series featuring Shorenstein APARC Visiting Scholar and Japan Program Fellow Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka, Emeritus professor at the University of Tokyo and a distinguished scholar in modern Japanese politics, as he presents new interpretations of six major issues in modern Japanese politics based on recent studies in Japan and his own experience as the Ambassador to the United Nations and the President of Japan International Cooperation Agency.

This seminar series re-examines several important and well-known issues in modern Japanese politics and diplomacy from the late 19th century to the 21st century based on the lecturer’s recent research and experience within the government. Topics include Meiji Restoration as a democratic revolution; the resilience of Taisho democracy; the military as a bureaucracy; Japan's surrender and the American occupation; the Yoshida Doctrine and the regime of 1955; the development of ODA policy; and the recent development of security policy in the 21st Century.

Catered dinners will be available at the seminar sessions on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stanford students may attend all seminar sessions under Professor Kiyoteru Tsutsui's Independent Study Spring Quarter 2025 for credit. To register for this course, please see the course information below:

• Register for SOC 390-24 INS (for graduate students)
   
• Register for EALC 198C-16 (for undergraduate students) 

Speaker:

Shinichi Kitaoka is the former President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA: 2015-2022) and Emeritus Professor, University of Tokyo. Previous posts include President of the International University of Japan (2012-2015), professor at University of Tokyo (1997-2012), Professor of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) (2012-), Professor of Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, the University of Tokyo (1997-2004, 2006-2012), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (2004-2006), and Professor of College of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University (1985-1997).

Dr. Kitaoka’s specialty is modern Japanese politics and diplomacy. He obtained his BA (1971) and PhD (1976) from the University of Tokyo. He is also Emeritus Professor at Rikkyo University. He received many awards including the Medal with Purple Ribbon for his academic achievements in 2011.