General Research of Japan as a Transit Place for Intellectual: Towards Creating 'The Study of Intellectual Process

PProject Manager: Noriko MATSUNAGA
Graduate School of Social and Cultural Studies
Department of Social and Cultural Studies
Japanese Studies/ Japan Research Project Team

■ Outline:

　　In this research, we will focus on how Japan traditionally carried out a role as a “transit place for intellectual,” or how it excels in “improvement trade of intellectual.” This research, which identifies Japan as a “transit place for intellectual,” will provide a new perspective on research on Japan. In other words, by focusing on the role that Japan played as a “transit place for intellectual,” we would like to create scholarly compendium-“the study of intellectual process”-which could be delivered not only within Japan but also worldwide. Moreover, we aim to return the results of “the study of intellectual process” to society.

　　“The study of intellectual process” is, to accept various leading knowledge worldwide, search the background of the principles, modify or reform that knowledge and apply those results to country, society and region-making. Specifically, we should clarify the process and technique of accepting, manufacturing and delivering the leading culture, arts, ideology and system in Japan. There are three different sections: culture and history, politics and ideology, and industry and technology. The first section is comprised of Japanese Language Education, Japanese Literature, and Japanese History (history of techniques), and Geography. The second section is comprised of Political Science: theory, ideology, and international politics. The third section is comprised of the history of scientific technique, militarism, and management. Each section's research will be used to further inform the research in each of the other sections. By doing such research we aim to create “the study of intellectual process” as a new discipline.