序文

抄録

This special feature is based on the common theme of the FY2019 Autumn Conference (November 30, 2019; NANZAN University): “Conscripted Workers In East Asia: Historical Perceptions, Transitional Justice, and International Law.” The theme for the conference was Japan–South Korea relations, considered to have been at their worst in the post-WWII period. The focus was specifically on issues surrounding conscripted workers’ legal battles. Some of these issues were purely legal, but there were other considerations as well, such as political problems and historical perceptions.

As this special feature is focused on the common theme of the conference, it consists of articles by five people who spoke on the common theme. The paper by Kiyoshi Aoki is written from a perspective rooted in international law. Hideki Okuzono’s paper is an analysis of South Korea’s stance on Japan and the “legitimacy” of the South Korean administration. The paper by Shin Kawashima analyzes the problem from the perspective of transitional justice, using examples from China and Taiwan. Mie Oba‘s contribution investigates the relationship between future historical issues and current diplomatic relations, through a comparison of examples across Southeast Asia. Finally, the paper by Tetsuya Yamada analyzes the legal battle of conscripted workers from the perspective of public international law; investigates the management of Korean reunification, which Japan and South Korea have yet to agree upon; and argues for the utilization of international law to deal with changes in the South Korean administration.

This special feature finds that simple and clear conclusions can not be expected. The aim was to create a platform for discussing historical issues, and modern political issues, in connection with Japan–South Korea relations. These discussions are extremely important for organizing and debating issues relevant to future consideration of East Asian international politics.