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On the Background of the Continuation of the ‘Republic of Korea Representative Office in Japan’ (1952-1965) : Focusing on the Japanese Government’s Perception of Domestic Public Opinion

  • JAPAN SPACE
  • 2025, (37), pp.75~123
  • Publisher : The Institute of Japanese Studies
  • Research Area : Social Science > Area Studies
  • Received : May 18, 2025
  • Accepted : June 10, 2025
  • Published : June 30, 2025

민지훈 1

1리츠메이칸대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This research examines the reasons behind the continuation of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Representative Office in Japan from 1952 to 1965, despite the absence of a corresponding Japanese diplomatic mission in the ROK. It specifically analyzes how Japan’s postwar democratic system influenced the government’s perception of domestic public opinion and shaped its policy decisions toward the ROK. Whereas previous studies have primarily emphasized international pressures or policymakers’ assessments of national interest, this research highlights the Japanese government’s active engagement with domestic public opinion and its efforts to secure political legitimacy through public acceptance. Primary sources utilized for analysis include Japanese parliamentary records, diplomatic documents related to the Korea-Japan negotiations, memoirs of diplomatic officials, and domestic opinion polls conducted in Japan. The findings indicate that successive administrations from Yoshida to Sato strategically reflected domestic public opinion in their policies toward the ROK, aiming to manage pacifist sentiments, achieve constitutional revision goals, and foster economic cooperation. Throughout this process, the ROK Representative Office in Japan served as a crucial diplomatic channel, securing stability and enabling effective implementation of Japan’s Korea-related policies.

Citation status

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