This volume is based on the second of three conferences between American,
Chinese, and Japanese scholars examining their nations' relationship from
1945 until 2000. The purpose of these conferences was to provide a historical
perspective on relations between the three powers likely to be most critical in
determining the fate of East Asia over the next several decades.
The conferences also had a secondary purpose: to develop a common basis of understanding among research scholars in each country. They were
organized under the direction of Professor Yuan Ming of Peking University,
Professor Tanaka Akihiko ofTokyo University, and Ezra Vogel at Harvard
University. At the time of the project, each was director, respectively, of a
center in his own university: Ezra Vogel at the Fairbank Center, Yuan Ming
of the Center for International Relations, and Tanaka Akihiko of the Institute of Oriental Culture.