On June 22nd, 2016 the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan sent a delegation of historians, diplomats, military experts, and professors from Japan to America on a goodwill diplomatic/educational tour. They held panel discussions on the rise of international tensions in the Southeast Asian Pacific region, issues involved and possible solutions. The event took place on the campus of the University of San Diego, at the Joan Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice . . . The historical novel, The Emperor and the Spy, honors many Japanese leaders who attempted to prevent World War Two in the Pacific. The author of this novel was invited to do a book signing at this gathering. A copy of the novel was inscribed by the author to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This copy was given to Kenko Sone the head of the visiting Japanese delegation. Kenko Sone also held the position of Director of Global Communications for the Office of the Prime Minister. Kenko Sone kindly offered to present the inscribed gifted copy to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe upon his return to Japan. Kenko Sone is currently the Consul General to the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Further description of the above event is given below:
East Asian Geopolitical Realignment, 1930’s and the Present
Hosted by San Diego World Affairs Council
Date and time
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 · 3:15 – 7:30pm PDT
Location
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego
San Diego, CA 92110
Description
The San Diego World Affairs Council is proud to announce a special event to discuss East Asian geopolitical realignment and regional power shifts in the 1930’s and the present.
The book Fifteen Lectures on Showa Japan: Road to the Pacific War in Recent Historiography structures Panel 2 and is available for discounted sale below and at the event through the sponsorship of the Japan Library.
AGENDA:
Registration: 3:15 PM
Introductions: 3:40 PM
Panel 1: The Role of Japan and its Allies/Regional Partners in Maintaining Peace and Stability in Asia (3:50 – 5:20 PM)
This panel session will examine how Washington, Seoul, Hanoi and other regional partners can work together to maintain regional stability as an increasingly assertive China is rapidly expanding its sphere of influence. While the US bilateral alliances with Japan and South Korea remain vital cornerstones of security in Northeast Asia, China’s challenge to the status quo could escalate tensions and may lead to a crisis in the region. With this as a backdrop, these three experts will provide insights as to how Asian countries are reacting to recent developments in the geopolitical landscape – namely, the South China Sea issue and North Korean nuclear development/missile testing. They will offer their views about how tensions can be diffused to avert a military conflict in the region and create a more stable and secure East Asia.
Moderator:
Tosh Minohara (Kobe University)
Panelists:
Donald K. Emmerson (Stanford University)
Kan Kimura (Kobe University)
Chisako Masuo (Kyushu University)
Panel 2: Road to the Pacific War in Recent Historiography (5:30 – 6:30 PM)
This panel discussion will celebrate the publication of the book ‘Fifteen Lectures on Showa Japan: Road to the Pacific War in Recent Historiography’. Two Japanese authors whose essays are featured in the book will analyze the events that led to war between the United States and Japan 75 years ago from multiple angles, such as international relations, military balance, Japanese domestic politics and Japanese foreign policy. Professor Doak will moderate the discussion and give an international perspective to this historical analysis
Moderator:
Kevin M. Doak (Georgetown University)
Panelists:
Haruo Tohmatsu (National Defense Academy of Japan)
Kota Watanabe (Teikyo University)
Public Reception – Garden of the Sky (6:30 – 7:30 PM)
Hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks
During the event we’ll also promote the sale of 2 topically-relevant books:
Fifteen Lectures on Showa Japan: Road to the Pacific War in Recent Historiography
Edited by Tsutsui Kiyotada
Translated by Noda Makito and Paul Narum
***the basis for Panel 2***
sponsored by Japan Library
The Emperor and The Spy: The Secret Alliance to Prevent WWII
by Stan S. Katz
An historical novel based on the brilliant life, exciting exploits and personal papers of American Colonel Sidney Mashbir, who, as a spy, secretly allied with top leaders in Japan, including members of the Japanese Royal Family, in an heroic attempt to prevent conflict between their nations and the outbreak of World War II. On May 18, 2016 an article on Mr. Katz and his book appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune. Mr. Katz will be on hand to sign copies of his book.
Our event is the cusp of the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations conference at the University of San Diego (June 23 – 25, 2016).
Organized by
San Diego World Affairs Council
Credit is due to various volunteers from the San Diego World Affairs Council (SDWAC).
Here are two of those who helped organize the event: David Edick Jr. President of SDWAC and U.S. Ambassador Reno L. Harnish III
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