『US-Japan Relations in the Sunset of the Cold War』（yoshikawa Kobunkan　2023）

Wataru Yamaguchi
（Senior Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Teikyo University）
I am deeply honored to have been bestowed the prestigious Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Award. Joining the ranks of distinguished scholars who have previously received this accolade is truly humbling. I extend my gratitude to the selection committee, all those involved in the process, and the individuals who supported me during the writing of this book.

US-Japan Relations in the Sunset of the Cold War: Diversifying Comprehensive Security (Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 2023), the book for which I received this award, delves into the intricacies of US-Japan relations as the Cold War drew to a close, with a central focus on the concept of comprehensive security. Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira was a staunch advocate of comprehensive security, championing it even prior to his tenure. Upon assuming office, he launched the Comprehensive National Security Study Group to foster in-depth discussions on the matter. I feel deeply moved to receive an award named after Prime Minister Ohira for a book that explores his visionary endeavors.

Generally, comprehensive security encompasses not only “narrow security” such as military security but also “broad security” spanning economic security and food security. However, Prime Minister Ohira proposed a more nuanced “diversity” of security. He perceived security from a multi-layered perspective, encompassing the international landscape, the US-Japan security system, and domestic politics, while emphasizing on the balance between these tiers. This is essentially what constitutes the “multi-layeredness” of security. In my book, I have discussed Japan-US relations toward the end of the Cold War by intertwining both the “multi-layeredness” and “diversity” aspects of security. I am hopeful that my work contributes in some measure to a deeper understanding of the concept of comprehensive security, which is often employed today.

I will continue striving to uphold the standards associated with this esteemed award, and respectfully seek your continued guidance and encouragement. Thank you.

Profile
Wataru Yamaguchi is a senior assistant professor at Teikyo University. His research interests include history of the U.S.-Japan relations.
His Ph.D. in Political Science is from Doshisha University. He skipped his senior year of undergraduate studies and entered the Graduate School of Law at the university. He was a visiting researcher with the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University and was an assistant professor at the International Institute of American Studies, Doshisha University.