Comparative Study on the Reception of Western International Law in Korea and Japan

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It is the common understanding now in Japan that Japan achieved a distinct success in accepting modern Western international law in the Meiji Era(1868-1912), in marked contrast to the unequivocal failure of its reception in modern China and Korea. Questions as to this common understanding are twofold : the first question is whether this understanding is really correct and sustainable. The second is what would be a satisfactory reason for the difference between Japan, and China and Korea, if we accept that Japan was successful in the reception of Western international law in distinct contrast to China and Korea. Opinions of Japanese, Korean and American scholars about an issue of the status of Korea in the context of the idea of China as central empire were totally different, especially because it is usually said that the idea is the main obstacle to the success of the reception of Western international law. Some Korean and American scholars insisted that Korea was regarded as "peers", not as "subordinate vassal" by China, which is not acceptable to most Japanese scholars. An opinion of Chinese scholars about this issue would be necessary for a further discussion.