A Study of Political Geography on Present Japan in Transnational Relations

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This study is divided into four sections : I.Theory and methodology of political geography, II.Geographical themes in politics, III.Geographical perspectives in politics, IV.Political geography of international relations.In the first section, Yoriko Fukushima reviewed geopolitics extensively, especially on critical geopolitics. Takashi Yamazaki reviewed publication tendencies of political geography in post-war Japan. He also studied the emergence of neo-nationalism and the solidification of space for belonging in post Cold War era. He insists that geographers' roles are important to these problems.In the second sections, Akihiko Takagi made the regionalization of single members constituencies in the House of Representatives in Japan by quantitative analysis. He also analyzed historical changes of constituencies and indicated these constituencies consist of municipal areas called 'Gun', and that borders of constituencies has been followed for years.In the third section, Hidenori Okahashi reviewed studies on peripheral areas and indicated some agendas on these studies. Hiroo Kamiya investigated the regional justice as a case of medical service. Toshio Mizuuchi analyzed the improvement of living conditions in discriminated peoples' districts. Makoto Takahashi studied political and social problems in suburban local communities.In the fourth section, Ren Azuma investigated the cultural conflicts between Japan and United Kingdom on whale fishing, and then considered environmental problems and international relations. Tatsuya Chiba clarified social and spatial basis supporting the life of foreign workers in Japan.