[WSCSS] [EARC] China-Japan Relations Workshop in Spokane

[Gary and Robyn Cressman]

The State of China-Japan Relations Today
A Workshop for Secondary Educators
9:30 a.m. ­ 2:30 p.m., May 16, 2009
Washington State University Spokane campus
 
Sponsored by the Asia Program of Washington State University and the East
Asia Resource Center in the University of Washington.
 
It is not possible to teach about Asia today without addressing the complex
web of China-Japan relations in the 20th and early 21st centuries. This
workshop will look at China-Japan relations through different lens and
periods, beginning with Japan¹s wartime invasion and occupation of China in
the 1930s and 1940s and tracing the legacies of wartime actions through
recent textbook controversies, high-level visits to Yasukuni shrine, Chinese
popular nationalism, and debates about Japan¹s remilitarization. Presenters
will also discuss the complex political and security environment, including
the two countries¹ differing approaches to their Asian neighbors‹Taiwan and
North Korea. Economic and trade ties between two of the world¹s largest
economies will feature in the discussion, looking at areas of cooperation
and tension. And a look at cultural exchanges at the state and popular
levels‹the nations¹ soft power‹will convey the multi-faceted nature of
China-Japan relations today. Presenters will introduce the issues and
provide resources for teaching about China and Japan¹s ties through
historical and contemporary perspectives. Teachers of World History, World
Geography, U.S. History, the Pacific Rim, and Contemporary World Problems
will not want to miss this opportunity.
 
Five clock hours and lunch are included in the registration fee of $20. To
register, visit the EARC website at http://jsis.washington.edu/earc. The
registration deadline is Thursday, May 14. This workshop is designed with
secondary educators in mind but elementary educators are welcome to attend.
 
Featured presentations:
 
Eric Cunningham, Gonzaga University: China-Japan Relations: A Historical
Perspective
Dr. Eric Cunningham of Gonzaga University will provide a historical overview
of Chinese-Japanese affairs, focusing on cultural exchanges and adaptations,
changing dynamics in regional power arrangements, diplomatic and military
conflicts, and the effects of external forces such as imperialism, Cold War
imperatives, and global capitalism.



 
Roger Chan, Washington State University: Economic Issues
Professor Roger Chan¹s presentation and the one that follows by Noriko
Kawamura presuppose that the overriding significance of trade relationship
between China and Japan, has thus far, made the other political and security
issues contingent on the continual prosperity of the two closely linked
economies. Although territorial disputes, Cold War legacies, and the burdens
of history remain unresolved, the pragmatism of the leaderships, constraints
of business communities, and common security concerns tend to reduce
periodic tensions and disagreements.
 
Noriko Kawamura, Washington State University: Political Leadership &
Security Issues
Professor Noriko Kawamura will look at implications of the US-Japan Mutual
Security Treaty over the Sino-Japanese relations in the case of controversy
over North Korea, and the case of territorial dispute over Senkaku Island.
 
 
Kristin Chaney, East Asia Resource Center, University of Washington: Taking
China-Japan Relations Into the Classroom
Tying themes from the workshop together, Kristin Chaney, former Project
Coordinator for the East Asia Resource Center at the University of
Washington, will present educators with several ideas for teaching about
China-Japan Relations in the classroom. She will also highlight additional
background reading, curriculum and online resources for developing
individualized lesson plans.


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