Masaya Inoue Seminar

The skillfulness of diplomacy can determine the fate of a nation. While some countries may appear weak at first glance but shrewdly increase their national interests, there are also examples of countries that pursued bold and aggressive diplomacy only to perish in isolation. From the 1930s to the early 1940s, Japan failed to establish a diplomatic strategy commensurate with its national power and resources, resulting in a defeat in war with many casualties. In contrast, post-World War II Japan walked a path of peace and prosperity while balancing the Japan-U.S. security arrangements with Article 9 of the Constitution, eventually reviving as the second-largest economy in the Western world. However, the international environment that was the premise for this peaceful and prosperous Japan is now undergoing significant changes. How to face the rise of China is a major challenge not only for Japan but for the entire world. Furthermore, various diplomatic issues exist between Japan and its neighbors, such as North Korea's nuclear and missile development, as well as historical and territorial disputes. When facing these challenges, it is important not only to analyze the current situation but also to learn from history.

What the Inoue Seminar values is the dialogue between the present and the past. How should the relationship between diplomacy and the military be? How should we face the issues of historical perception seen in countries around the world? How should economy and security intersect or be separated? History is full of records and memories of the successes and failures of our predecessors. We think about contemporary issues through living history and find answers to the challenges we face today within that history. In the Inoue Seminar, I hope to build upon these intellectual endeavors.

(Published: April 2026)