『Decoration Diplomacy ? Ryukyu・Hawaii・Korean Empire』
MAYUKO MORI
（Associate Professor, Tokyo Woman’s Christian University）
I am delighted and honored to receive the 37th Academic Research Grant from the Masayoshi Ohira Foundation for my research theme “Decoration Diplomacy ? Ryukyu・Hawaii・Korean Empire.” I would like to express to my deep gratitude to the professors on the selection committee and to the staff of the Masayoshi Ohira Foundation.

When I was recognized with the 35th Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Award, for my book Choson Korea’s Modern Diplomacy and the Traditional World Order in East Asia　(Nagoya University Press, 2018), which was based on my dissertation, Naoto Shirato the editor of Chuokoron-Shinsya, read it and encouraged to write my next book about the Korean Empire (1897?1910). With his support, I published my second book, Japanese Annexation of Korea– From the Establishment of the Korean Empire to Collapse (Chuokoron-Shinsya, 2022).

Fortunately, the Japanese Annexation of Korea, has been read by many people and received some useful comments. In particular, Professor Naotaka Kimizuka, a scholar of the political and diplomatic history of modern Britain, suggested that I study decoration diplomacy. This idea led to my current study theme, as I am interested in investigating and surveying the meaning behind the independence and annexation of small countries. I will sketch a new world history, especially Pacific Rim history, from the point of view of the small countries of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, the Korean Empire, and Hawaii.

Today, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have made important efforts to improve relations between Japan and South Korea. However, there are still many Koreans who regard the Japanese historical attitude critically, noting Japan’s lack of recognition and apologies for historical events. This means that, at present, the two countries still have much work to do to make a more concrete relationship. I think it is important to study modern Japanese?Korean relations using two approaches, one is a careful, microscopic investigation of historical facts, while the other is a comprehensive survey of the story and relationship in that era. As this study theme uses both approaches, I hope to contribute to the improvement of Japanese?Korean relations.

Education:
Born in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, Dr. Mayuko Mori is an Associate Professor at Tokyo Woman’s Christian University. As an undergraduate, Mayuko studied international and cultural studies at Tsuda University, which was founded by Umeko Tsuda, the first female Japanese study abroad student. After graduating from Tsuda University, she remained in the field, focusing particularly on Korean Studies at the University of Tokyo, where she completed her Master’s and Ph.D. in Area Studies. Before earning her Ph.D. at the University of Tokyo, she also studied Korean History at Seoul National University’s Department of Korean History and completed the course to be a Ph.D. candidate. Mayuko’s research encompasses not only Korean history, but also Korean Studies as a whole. She approaches modern history from a modern viewpoint and is interested in the world order surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Her Book titled Choson Korea’s Modern Diplomacy and the Traditional World Order in East Asia　(Nagoya University Press, 2018) won the 35th Masayoshi Ohira Memorial Prizes. She published her most recent book, Japanese Annexation of Korea- From the Establishment of the Korean Empire to Collapse (Chuokoron-Shinsya, INC), in 2022.