Notice of Reading Group Event: 'Historical Perception Across Borders: An Attempt at Sino-Japanese Dialogue'

Shosukabu.com Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nerima-ku, Tokyo; Chairman and CEO: Yutaka Yamanaka; hereinafter 'the Company') will hold a reading group themed on 'Historical Perception Across Borders: An Attempt at Sino-Japanese Dialogue' (edited by Jie Liu, Hiroshi Mitani, and Daqing Yang), co-hosted with the Nerima Political Research Association and the 8th Civil Affairs Division Monitoring Committee.

This book is the result of research in which Japanese and Chinese researchers sorted out major points of contention and explored the possibilities of dialogue regarding the gap in historical perception that still remains even after the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China in 1972. It is characterized by its reconsideration of historical issues not as emotional conflicts or diplomatic friction, but as complex issues where historical materials, interpretations, memories, and education intersect.

A major feature of this book is that it does not discuss historical perception issues abstractly, but rather sorts out the points of contention for each specific issue in the history of Sino-Japanese relations, looking for points of contact for mutual understanding. Part 1 covers diplomacy from after the Sino-Japanese War to the Twenty-One Demands, the eve of the Manchurian Incident, the 'Tanaka Memorial', Manchukuo, the Nanjing Incident, and the Wang Jingwei regime. Part 2 discusses the textbook system, mutual Sino-Japanese perception, perception surrounding the Japanese era in Taiwan, memorial services, war reparations and postwar compensation, and the relationship between historical dialogue and historical material research.

Furthermore, as a collaborative work by researchers from both Japan and China, this book attempts to explain representative issues surrounding modern Sino-Japanese relations from both perspectives, showing the possibility of rational dialogue which is the premise of reconciliation.

In this reading group, we will mainly discuss points such as major issues in the history of Sino-Japanese relations, the politics of memory including history textbooks and the Yasukuni/reparations issues, the relationship between historical material research and historical dialogue, and whether it is possible to share historical perceptions across borders. We aim to make this a place for beneficial learning and dialogue for those interested in the history of Sino-Japanese relations, modern East Asian history, historical perception issues, and international reconciliation.

Book introduction URL: https://x.gd/pw8z7

Editor Profiles

Jie Liu: Professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Waseda University. A historical researcher specializing in modern Japanese political and diplomatic history, modern Sino-Japanese relations history, and contemporary Sino-Japanese relations.

Hiroshi Mitani: Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo and Researcher at the Toyo Bunko. A historian specializing in modern Japanese history and comparative history, researching the Meiji Restoration, modern state formation, nationalism, and East Asian history.

Daqing Yang: Professor at George Washington University. He serves as a co-editor of this book as a researcher specializing in the history of Sino-Japanese relations and the history of East Asian international relations.

Event Overview

Theme: 'Historical Perception Across Borders: An Attempt at Sino-Japanese Dialogue' Reading Group Organizer: Shosukabu.com Co., Ltd. Co-organizers: Nerima Political Research Association, 8th Civil Affairs Division Monitoring Committee Date: Late April 2026 (Scheduled) Format: Zoom Online Participation Fee: Free (Advance registration required) Application Method: Please apply by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line 'Request to participate in Historical Perception Across Borders Reading Group'.

Lecturer Profile

Yutaka Yamanaka

Born in December 1976, he is an activist investor, painting collector, philanthropist, political activity sponsor, election consultant, policy advisor, social activist, and Akita dog enthusiast representing the '76 generation. Internationally evaluated as an 'activist investor who understands technology,' he is the first person in history to achieve an asset formation of over 150 billion yen solely through investment as a Japanese person.

In the early 2010s, he focused on NVIDIA, which develops semiconductors related to GPGPU and artificial intelligence, executing an investment of over 2 billion yen. As a result, he realized a return of over 100 times, becoming the first Japanese person to join the billionaires solely as an investor.

Graduated as the valedictorian from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo. Earned a master's degree from the Graduate School of Columbia University (Financial Engineering Major), London School...