2024 Faculty Courses Liberal arts and basic science courses Humanities and social science courses
International Relations A
- Academic unit or major
- Humanities and social science courses
- Instructor(s)
- Shinji Kawana
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- LAH.S104
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course addresses some fundamental questions in the field of diplomacy and security of Japan. Why does Japan and the United States have an alliance? Why does Japan allow U.S. military bases on their territory? And why is it concentrated in Okinawa?
Our goal is to help students better understand why we observe certain policy outcomes in the international arena, and to help you devise policy responses that are consistent with international realities and thus more likely to succeed.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand chronologically the main issues of diplomacy and security of Japan after World War II.
2) Through a series of considerations on the Japan-U.S. Alliance, deepen the understanding of the problems of US bases in Japan.
Keywords
U.S.-Japan alliance, security treaty, U.S. military bases in Japan, international politics and domestic politics
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lectures and Discussions: This course requires students to take an active role in their own learning.It is essentially important for students to attend all the classes.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Overview: Japan's diplomacy and security | Understand the security environment surrounding Japan and challenges. |
| Class 2 | Treaty of Peace with Japan and the US-Japan security treaty | Understand the characteristics of the “San Francisco system” and the US-Japan security treaty that Japan relies on after World War II. |
| Class 3 | Negotiations on the revision of the US-Japan security treaty | Understand the process of negotiation on the revision of the US-Japan security treaty and its political background. |
| Class 4 | The emergence of 'Okinawa' as a diplomatic issues | Understand the meaning of "Okinawa" for Japan 's diplomacy and security policy. |
| Class 5 | Nixon Doctrine and " The Kanto Plain Consolidation Plan" | What is US military base in Japan? Understand the Okinawa issues based on the historical context. |
| Class 6 | "Secret pact" on Okinawa reversion | Understand the dynamics of base politics. |
| Class 7 | Weakening of the Post-Cold War US-Japan alliance: Adjustments and SACO | Understand the challenges of managing US-Japan security relations after the Cold War. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
All materials are provided during class.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
See Japanese information.
Supplemental materials will be distributed.
Evaluation methods and criteria
One-Minute Paper 20%
Final report 80%
Related courses
- LAH.S204 ： International Relations B
- LAH.S305 ： International Relations C
Prerequisites
There are no pre‐requisites for the course.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
shinji.kawana[at]ila.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.