Kigoro Shidhara and His Role in Japan’s Foreign Policy 1921–1931
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Abstract
This research provides an in-depth academic study of the diplomatic policy of Kiichirō Shidehara during the period 1921–193 and his role in shaping Japan’s position within the international system in the interwar era. The study analyzes the political and intellectual circumstances that led to Shidehara’s appointment as foreign minister, emphasizing the foundations of his foreign policy based on the principle of “peaceful diplomacy.” This included adherence to international arms limitation agreements, a policy of non-interference in Chinese affairs, and the pursuit of balanced relations with major powers such as Britain and the United States. Furthermore, the research explores the challenges confronting this policy, both domestically and internationally, ranging from the opposition of military and nationalist elites in Japan, to critical debates within the parliament and press, as well as the repercussions of the global economic crisis of 1929 which undermined the foundations of Shidehara’s diplomatic vision. The findings reveal that Shidehara’s diplomacy succeeded in portraying Japan temporarily as a responsible power in international relations, but the rise of militarism and the constraints of the global economic downturn weakened this approach and paved the way for a more expansionist and confrontational phase in Japanese foreign policy. This study highlights the importance of Shidehara’s experience in understanding the complex interplay between diplomacy and power in modern Japan’s historical trajectory.
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