Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
13302:[2025 Spring]IR18‐GE205 Japan‐United States Relations (R) § 13303:IR-FS206 Japan-United States Relations (R) § 13304:RUIR-2616 Japan-United States Relations(R) 2025 Spring Tue1 College　Of　International　Relations MILNE DANIEL JEROME 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS306

Language

英語

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by April 1. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

The US-Japan relationship is perhaps the most important foreign relationship both country has. This course aims to improve students’ awareness of the origins and evolution of US-Japan relations since the mid-nineteenth century. The course will examine the changing relations between the two countries and the evolution of their relationship from bitter rivalry to today’s close partnership.

Keywords: US, Japan, history, WWII, Cold War, security alliance

Student Attainment Objectives

Primary Aims:

Students will deepen their understanding of the the US-Japan relationship and will be introduced to the major themes and issues which both underpin and, at times, strain, the alliance.

Secondary Aims:

The course is designed to develop cognitive, writing and presentation skills, in particular:

• Reading and making notes about academic articles
• Participation in group and class discussions
• Researching topics via the creative use of library and internet sources
• Writing scholarly essays
• Presenting research

Recommended Preparatory Course

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1

Class introduction (On Demand)

Introduction to course

2

US-Japan Relations to 1900

Sinocentric period, Perry, Meiji period, treaties, imperialism

3

US-Japan Relations to 1945

Russo-Japan war, WWI, Manchuria, WWII

4

Occupation (On Demand)

GHQ, Reform, Reconstruction

5

Atomic Bomb, Race, and Incarceration

Incarceration of Japanese Americans, Racism, WWII

6

1950s-1960 & ANPO Crisis

'Alliance', protest, democracy, autonomy

7

ANPO Crisis & Art

Protest, art

8

Self Defense Forces (SDF) (On Demand)

Emergence of Self Defense Forces

9

US Bases in Japan and Okinawa

Status of forces agreement, bases, crime, protest

10

Trade Friction- from Textiles to the TPP

Trade conflict, protectionism

11

The Nakasone - Reagan Era to Oil Wars (On Demand)

Late Cold War, Gulf War, peace keeping operations (PKO)

12

Recent Developments in US-Japan Relations

Disaster relief, public relations, rise of China

12-14

Student Presentations of Essays

14

Teacher Feedback

Class Format

I will conduct media-based (on demand) class for Lecture 1 (Class Intro) and, in order to make best use of online materials, for Lectures 4, 8, 11. Remaining classes will be conducted face-to-face.

Recommendations for Private Study

Make sure you have some knowledge of the APA style of referencing before the course begins. See the online APA guide by Purdue University (OWL).

Class participation score will take into account the following:

- Participation in discussion
- Regular discussion sheets based on readings and lectures
- Attendance in class

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

50% One 1,500 word essay

30% In class contributions
 
20% In class presentation

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

This class will involve a lot of in-class discussion based on readings. Be prepared to both read academic readings each week and to discuss your ideas and knowledge.

The essay will be due in week 13 and must be over 1,500 words. Plagiarised essays and those lacking appropriate academic sources will not be accepted. You will be given the option of writing essays in groups (at a longer word count) or alone.

In class contribution will be measured by weekly discussion sheets filled out by students based on readings and lectures, and by participation in classroom discussion.

Students will present their essays in the last weeks of class. These should be well prepared and engaging for other students and the teacher.

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Be prepared to regularly read academic texts and discuss them in class.

All essays must be written in the APA style and include academic references such as journal articles and books.

Please also note that the essay will be fully checked for plagiarism by the instructor and using software. Any evidence of plagiarism - including having AI technology to write your essay - will result in failure of the class as a minimum. Its simple: research and write essays yourself.

Textbooks

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

There is no set textbook for the class. Materials will be given out in class and students will have to conduct their own additional research outside the classroom. Materials will include extracts from primary and secondary sources, images, news and documentary films.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
The History of US-Japan Relations Makoto Iokibe and Tosh Minohara Palgrave 9811098107
The Clash: U.S.-Japanese Relations Throughout History Walter LaFeber W. W. Norton & Company 0393318370

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Other (Separate instructions will be provided)

Other Comments

Please inform me of any absences due to ill health etc prior to class, if at all possible.

For this and all other communication my email address is as follows:

kyodaidaniel@gmail.com

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URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/