Thomas Barrett Seminar

According to the "Public Opinion Survey on Diplomacy" conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2023, 86.7% of respondents answered that they "do not feel close" or "rather do not feel close" to China. This highlights the current situation where many Japanese people hold a strong "negative image" of China, despite it being a neighboring country separated only by a narrow strip of water.

In this atmosphere, the number of people seeking to study China head-on is decreasing year by year. As a result, a serious lack of understanding has arisen in various fields such as politics, media, education, and business.

What is strongly required in society today is the presence of "China experts" who can understand China from multiple perspectives without being swayed by emotions or images. With this awareness of the issues, this seminar was launched in April 2025 as a place to study China deeply using a "historical approach."

At first glance, historical studies may seem distant from understanding modern China. However, modern Chinese society and people's values are closely connected to the culture, institutions, and memories that have been shaped over a long history. Studying history is not just about knowing the past; it is also about building a foundation for deciphering the present and thinking about the future.

Furthermore, the thinking skills cultivated through historical studies are not limited to understanding China. In today's world, which is flooded with information from fake news, clipped videos, and generative AI, the ability to question the source of information, consider the background, and notice missing perspectives is essential. In this seminar, through the reading of primary sources and specialized books, discussions, and extracurricular activities, we will develop these skills and foster "individuals with the power to think deeply" who can be active in various fields of society.

(Published: April 2026)