Pan-Asianism

This first volume in a two-volume set provides the only comprehensive, Western-language history of Pan-Asianism through primary sources and commentaries. The book argues that Pan-Asianism, often—though unfairly—associated with the Yellow Peril, has been a powerful political and ideological force in modern Asia. It has shaped national identities and strongly influenced the development of international relations across Asia and the Pacific. Scholars have long recognized the importance of Pan-Asianism as an ideal of Asian solidarity, regional cooperation, and integration but also as an ideology that justified imperialist expansion and military aggression. Yet sustained research has been hampered by the difficulty of accessing primary sources.

Thoroughly remedying this problem, this unique sourcebook provides a wealth of documents on Pan-Asianism from 1850 to 1920, many translated for the first time from Asian languages. All sources are accompanied by expert commentaries that provide essential background information. Providing an essential overview of Pan-Asianism as it developed throughout modern Asia, this collection will be an indispensable tool for scholars in history, political science, international relations, and sociology. Its accessible presentation makes it a valuable resource for non-specialists as well.

Contributions by: Cemil Aydin, Yuan P. Cai, Peter Duus, Selçuk Esenbel, Jing He, Eri Hotta, Joël Joos, Kim Bongjin, Kyu Hyun Kim, Eun-jeung Lee, Matsuda Koichiro, Marc Andre Matten, Sven Saaler, Michael A. Schneider, Alistair Swale, Christopher W. A. Szpilman, Brij Tankha, Renée Worringer, and Urs Matthias Zachmann.

Sven Saaler is professor of modern Japanese history at Sophia University, Tokyo.
Christopher W. A. Szpilman is professor of modern Japanese history at Teikyo University, Tokyo.