본 연구는 근대 민족주의 형성기 이래의 일본에서의 아시아태평양지역연구의 동향을 역사학적으로 살펴보는 것을 목적으로 하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 주로 일본의 아시아태평양지역에 대한 연구가 누가, 어떠한 의도로, 어떠한 정치적·정책적 고려 및 학문적 관심에 의해, 어떠한 지역을, 어떠한 시각으로, 어떠한 조력을 얻어, 구체적으로 동 지역의 무엇에 대해 연구하였는지를 시계열로 분석, 정리하고, 이러한 분석의 결과 일본의 아시아태평양지역연구가 갖는 특징적인 요소를 도출해내고자 한 것이다. 지역연구가 제국주의 정책의 파생물로서 그 자체가 ‘추악한 용어’라는 사이드의 지적은 전전(戰前, pre-war)기 일본의 아시아태평양지역연구에도 그대로 적용될 수 있다. 전전기 및 전간o(戰間, inter-war)기, 일본의 아태지역연구는 제국주의적 전쟁 수행의 목적에 부응하는 형태로 진행되었고, 그 당연한 귀결로서 아태지역의 정체성과 일본의 지배적 우월권의 확립에 이바지하였다. 전후(戰後, post-war) 일본의 아태지역연구는 전전기의 반성에 서서 아시아의 역동성에 주목하는 연구하는 한편, ‘지배’에서 ‘공생(共生)’의 모색이라는 연구 프레임의 전환을 이루고 있음을 알 수 있다. 또한 연구체계의 재정비가 아태지역연구의 새로운 활력이 되고 있다.

The aim of this study is to historically examine a trend of the Asia-Pacific research in Japan since modern nationalism setablished there. The main focus is on who has researched the Asia-Pacific region in Japan, why has studied it and which area has been studied so far. Also, I move on to examine who has helped the study and what precisely has done as a time order. By dwelling upon these examination, I will explore the characteristics of the Asia-Pacific area study carried out in Japan. Edward Said has pointed out that an area study is an outgrowth of imperialism and the study itself is 'ugly neologism.' Said's opinion can be applied to the Asia-Pacific study during the pre-war period. The area study in Japan was for the purpose of the war under the theme of imperialism during the pre and inter-war period. As a result, the study made a contribution to the establishment of identifying of the Asia-Pacific area and Japanese holding a prominent position. The study about the Asia-Pacific area in the post-war period pays attention to a power of Asia under reflection on pre-war period and shifts its work frame from 'domination' to 'living together.' Reorganization of the study system also gives an energy to the Asia-Pacific area study.

The aim of this study is to historically examine a trend of the Asia-Pacific research in Japan since modern nationalism setablished there. The main focus is on who has researched the Asia-Pacific region in Japan, why has studied it and which area has been studied so far. Also, I move on to examine who has helped the study and what precisely has done as a time order. By dwelling upon these examination, I will explore the characteristics of the Asia-Pacific area study carried out in Japan. Edward Said has pointed out that an area study is an outgrowth of imperialism and the study itself is 'ugly neologism.' Said's opinion can be applied to the Asia-Pacific study during the pre-war period. The area study in Japan was for the purpose of the war under the theme of imperialism during the pre and inter-war period. As a result, the study made a contribution to the establishment of identifying of the Asia-Pacific area and Japanese holding a prominent position. The study about the Asia-Pacific area in the post-war period pays attention to a power of Asia under reflection on pre-war period and shifts its work frame from 'domination' to 'living together.' Reorganization of the study system also gives an energy to the Asia-Pacific area study.