일본의 환동해 구상 및 연구에 대한 비판적 고찰

Abstract

This study is designed to review academic research focusing on “East Sea Studies” and “Japan Seaology” in Japan. There are particular characteristics of East Sea Rim region as an research agenda: the region of four countries (North and South Korea, Russia, China, and Japan)’s interests conflicting area, historical complicated region reflecting of contradiction between modernity and post-modernity, and the Cold War and post Cold War period, furthermore, the space of reality in which each country has implemented its own public policies based on regional situation in terms of political geology and political economy. No matter that there is reciprocal relationship among four countries and whether scholars focus on studying about regional economic and political issues or not, this East Sea Rim region should be considered as an significant area being worthy to be studied in the systemic and empirical research methods. The high level of public concern about East Sea Region has provoked to the necessity of studying the region as an important research topic. It has been recognized in the field of regional studies that, for the sake of searching a new research paradigm for East Sea Regional Studies, reviewing the previous related studies such as Japanese East-Sea Rim studies and research designs can be considered as a prerequisite for the theoretical and methodological development in this academic field. The main feature of Japanese regional studies relating to East-Sea Rim area, Japanese scholars are tend to focus on more practical policy issues such as the issues of dynamic relations rooted in the problems of modern and post modern society. It is appropriate time to search out new research paradigm in the field of regional studies which would help us recognize the nature and reality of East Sea Region.