Japanese diplomatic history and Asian political and diplomatic history: Changes in Politics and International Relations in East Asia and Japanese Diplomacy, and Relations between Japan, the U.S., and South Korea

The history of Japan-South Korea Cooperation as seen through the lens of Japanese diplomatic history.

Research (Rikka) May 21, 2026

LEE Byeongcheol Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law

Assistant Professor Lee recalls that in South Korea during the 1990s, when he was a teenager, anti-Japanese sentiment was on the rise against a backdrop of issues such as controversies surrounding history textbooks.

“I, too, was influenced by that prevailing sentiment at the time, but as I was exposed to Japanese popular culture and developed an interest in modern history, I began to wonder if the image Koreans hold of Japan is truly accurate. I gradually came to see Japan as a country of great importance to Korea, so I studied East Asian international relations in college and came to Japan as a MEXT scholarship student (research student) in 2010.”

Traditional research on the diplomatic history between Japan and South Korea has often focused on the conflicts between the two countries and the role of the United States as a mediator. However, Assistant Professor Lee has focused his research on the history of cooperation between the two countries in the postwar period. He has examined and verified relevant historical materials, focusing on diplomatic documents from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Japan and South Korea have cooperated in a wide range of fields, including the economy, diplomacy, and security. I am conducting research based on historical facts to understand the intentions and strategies Japan had at the time in seeking to build friendly relations with South Korea. By analyzing the actions of our predecessors from a historical perspective, we can also gain insight into the background of diplomatic challenges that persist to this day.”

According to Assistant Professor Lee, postwar cooperation between Japan and South Korea was not limited to bilateral relations but was part of a broader strategic framework. “Amid the postwar international order, Japan needed to navigate its complex relationships with China and North Korea, while striving to ensure stability throughout East Asia by centering its efforts on its alliance with the United States. The proactive pursuit of cooperation with South Korea was driven by diplomatic and strategic considerations.”

Even today, various issues remain between Japan and South Korea, including differences in historical interpretation. Assistant Professor Lee adds that he wishes to conduct his research “with humility as a scholar,” without being constrained by nationality or historical perspectives. He also expresses hope that exchanges among the younger generation will lead to mutual understanding.

“Even when I was a student, Japanese movies, anime, and music enjoyed great popularity in South Korea. The movie ‘Demon Slayer’ has been a massive hit there as well. The future will change if young people in both countries take an interest in one another and come to understand each other as important neighbors who share fundamental values. I hope my research will contribute to that.”

Book written by Assistant Professor Lee. The book primarily covers Japan’s diplomacy in East Asia from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, with a particular focus on Japan’s unique economic and diplomatic cooperation with South Korea.

Profile

LEE Byeongcheol

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law

Ph.D. (Law). His areas of expertise are Japanese political and diplomatic history and Asian political and diplomatic history. He came to Japan as a research student in 2010. He joined Niigata University in October 2024.

Researcher Database

Beyond the University

Assistant Professor Lee says that while he had been interested in Japanese popular culture even before coming to Japan, since arriving he has also developed more interest in Japanese culture and history. He says he has recently been enjoying traveling around the country.