This seminar examines the pattern of conflicts and cooperation between the United States and Japan through the lens of their mutual racisms (against the white, yellow, black, brown and other peoples) and evaluates the nature of their somewhat unstable yet "unique" relations across the Pacific. After common reading and discussion to familiarize seminar participants with historic race-related issues in US-Japan diplomacy, students conduct independent research and write a seminar paper. Among possible research topics are: Japan's dualistic racial identity; African-American relations with Japan; Japan's "Pan Asianism" and Washington's Asian policy; Okinawan people in US-Japanese relations; American Jews and the Pacific War; the so-called racially mixed (half-American half-Japanese) people; race-charged trade disputes in the 80s and other current issues. Evaluation will be based on class participation, two 5-page papers, and a research paper of about 25 to 30 pages. Enrollment limited to 15. Advanced Seminar

Hour: KOSHIRO