Comparative Study of Modernization in China and Japan

Author: Itō Shikai
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Through this collection, readers can gain an understanding of the history of Japan's social development and the similarities and differences between China and Japan, as well as recognize the aggressive nature of Japanese militarism. This helps deepen the understanding of the principle of "learning from history and looking toward the future" in China-Japan relations. Using a wealth of concrete historical materials, the collection accurately explains the history of Japan's social development, particularly exposing the brutal exploitation, plunder, and aggression of Japanese imperialism against China and Korea over the past century. The first volume of this collection includes A Concise History of Japan, which was used by Professor Itō as a lecture manuscript during his time teaching in China. Professor Itō's academic field is Japanese history. It is particularly commendable that he has consistently adhered to the progressive materialist view of history, criticizing the reactionary Imperialist History View and the so-called "free history view" that has been rampant in recent years. Using a wealth of concrete historical materials, the collection accurately explains the history of Japan's social development, particularly exposing the brutal exploitation, plunder, and aggression of Japanese imperialism against China and Korea over the past century. The first volume of this collection includes A Concise History of Japan, which was used by Professor Itō as a lecture manuscript in China. The late historian Zhou Yiliang wrote an accurate and concise preface, recommending the book as follows: "This book can be used as a textbook and also serves as a reference for foreign affairs personnel working on Japan." The second volume, Studies on Japanese Imperialism, focuses on exposing the aggression of Japanese imperialism against Northeast and North China before World War II from an economic perspective. Its distinctive feature is the use of a large amount of materials, statistics, and charts, almost all of which are from the Japanese ruling class. Then, with a masterful touch, it subtly highlights the sinister and cruel intentions and the brutal faces of the aggressors, revealing the immense suffering and hardships brought to the Chinese people. The third volume includes Modern Japan and China, which discusses how modern Japanese imperialism grew and strengthened itself on the basis of brutal aggression and plunder against China and Korea, while also meeting its demise in the resistance of the people of China, Korea, and Asia, including the Japanese people. The third volume also includes The Modernization of Japan—A Comparative Study with China and the fourth volume, A Comparative Study of the Modernization of China and Japan. These were newly written by the author during China's "reform and opening up" and comprehensive modernization period. The latter is an academic monograph, while the former provides a popular overview of the main content of the latter. Together, they compare the "differences and similarities" in the backgrounds of modernization between China and Japan in terms of politics, economy, culture, and other aspects, particularly emphasizing the differences in cultural types and national characteristics between the two countries. They not only have academic value but also hold practical significance for China's current modernization. The fifth volume, Historical Issues of Modern Japan, includes single-authored papers published by the author in recent years, covering major issues in modern Japanese history such as the Meiji Restoration, the Imperial system, the Freedom and People's Rights Movement, as well as Japan's colonial policies and military dictatorship before World War II. In the article Postwar Textbook Issues, it exposes the deeply ingrained reactionary Imperialist History View among the Ministry of Education officials responsible for reviewing textbooks. This demonstrates that Japan's textbook issues persist repeatedly, and the Japanese authorities bear an undeniable responsibility. These five volumes of the collection include Professor Itō's academic works and papers on Japanese history and China-Japan comparative studies, representing the culmination of his lifelong efforts and the natural expression of his friendly feelings toward China. I believe the publication of this collection will serve as a reference, inspiration, and impetus for the study of Japanese history in China. Through this collection, readers can gain an understanding of the history of Japan's social development and the similarities and differences between China and Japan, as well as recognize the aggressive nature of Japanese militarism, thereby deepening the understanding of the principle of "learning from history and looking toward the future" in China-Japan relations.