序論　関係回復の論理と実証

――分析の射程と視点――

抄録

This article introduces the subject of this special issue, “kankei kaifuku,” or restoration of relations in international politics. First, the article presents a detailed explanation of the concept, which has not been analyzed closely in the past. As a concept, restoration of relations is defined as the improvement in the relations between actors who were previously locked in conflictual or abnormal relations. This article elaborates the conditions that should be met if a phenomenon is considered restoration of relations.

Second, this article analyzes an important sub-category of kankei kaifuku: diplomatic normalization (or the restoration/establishment of diplomatic relations). In so doing, it discusses how diplomatic normalization should be understood within the realm of the concept and highlights that various types of diplomatic normalization exist. It then points to the fact that only one type of diplomatic normalization has been emphasized in Japanese academia, implying that one must study cases beyond those involving Japan in order to understand the full scope of diplomatic normalization in international relations. Third, this article provides the summaries of the eight articles that constitute this special issue and discusses the significance of each article.