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Research Note: Japan Studies in China in the Late 1980s

Implications for Reform, Social Change, and Sino-Japanese Relations

Sociology Department, Hong Kong Baptist University, China

This article adopts a sociology of knowledge perspective to analyze Japan studies scholarship published in China in the late 1980s. The objective of the analysis is to interpret the significant body of scholarship in terms of three of its sociopolitical implications. Firstly, the role of scholarship in its advocacy of Japan as a development model for China will be examined, thereby uncovering one of the multiple historical sources for the Chinese reform. Secondly, Japanese studies scholars, despite their being establishment intellectuals, made bold proposals in the late 1980s for economic, political, and social change. Thirdly, this article will document the Japan studies scholars’ largely positive appraisal of Japan as well as their resistance of anti-Japanese sentiments in the Chinese state and society. Findings indicate that the scholarship deviated from the official line, critiqued the Chinese state, promoted radical reform proposals, positively evaluated Japan, and offered a Japanese model for China’s reform.

Key Words: establishment intellectuals • Chinese reform • Sino-Japanese relations • Japan studies • sociology of knowledge

China Information, Vol. 23, No. 3, 473-501 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0920203X09345143


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