Course Description

This course introduces students to the military history of Japan from the end of Edo period to Taisho period and outlines major issues including the attempt of modern Japan to modernize its military system, the backgrounds of the Japanese-Sino War of 1894-95 and the Japanese-Russo War, and the arms control issues in those days. We will look at the close relations between the expansion of Japanese military power and its rapid development as a modern state. Students are required to think out all the issues addressed in this course and draw lessons from them, which helps students cultivate their ability to consider social or political issues of our time with the awareness of the history of modern Japan.