New book on Japan's role in Belt and Road Initiative launched

The Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in collaboration with the China Social Sciences Press, held a launch event and academic seminar for their latest book, "An Analysis of Japan's Role in Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative", on March 26.

The book aims to provide theoretical support and policy references for China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as for expanding and deepening foreign opening-up and constructing a new pattern of open development.

During the event, participants emphasized Japan's significant role in the Belt and Road Initiative and highlighted the importance of understanding Japan's evolving perceptions, strategic layouts, and policy responses to the initiative.

Zhao Jianying, director of China Social Sciences Press, noted that this book provides not only an objective and comprehensive interpretation of Japan's role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative but also conducts an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of China-Japan relations, including "long-term interference and fluctuations" and "cooperative rivalry".

While following their inherent trajectory, China-Japan relations are inevitably influenced by the international situation and the current trends, making them extremely complicated, said Yang Bojiang, director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Yan Kun, Party secretary and deputy director of the Institute, pointed out that as an important neighbor of China and a developed country in Asia, Japan plays a critical role in the process of promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. Therefore, its evolving perceptions, strategic layout and policy responses to the initiative deserve great attention and in-depth study.

Scholars at the seminar recognized the book for its theoretical significance and practical insights, which shed light on the complexities of Sino-Japanese relations within the context of the initiative. The research findings offered valuable perspectives on various aspects, including regional and national studies, the development of Japanese studies, China-Japan relations in English academic circles, geopolitics' impact on bilateral relations, third-party market cooperation, and international sister city partnerships.