History, Memory, Narrative in Contemporary Japanese Politics

Research Theme

History, Memory, and Narrative in Contemporary Japanese Politics

Lead Researcher

Prof. David LEHENY

(1) Objective

This year, the project will focus on the local reproduction of transnational narratives regarding COVID. One original expectation of this research – that major countries of the Asia-Pacific would compete over leadership based on their handling of the pandemic – has turned out to have been misguided. Indeed, most of the region’s countries have dropped COVID-19 and claims about their relative success from their frontline diplomacy, with local disputes reflecting on differential patterns of success and failure.

(2) Significance

This is an important issue for several reasons. First, the sudden disappearance of the dominant story of global politics for nearly two years is remarkable, particularly given that COVID-19 remains endemic, that public health has become a more visible challenge for global institutions.

(3) Method

The key research methods remain discursive, and in particular reliance on policy documents from Japan, the United States, China, South Korea, and ASEAN nations to examine how the pandemic has been described and the behavior of the respective states rationalized and justified.

(4) Expected Outcome

Upon my return from sabbatical at Cornell University, I plan to complete my book manuscript.

(5) Members

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