Examining the Factors that Contribute to U.S.-Japan Relations

今年，该小组继续前两年的研究，考察了美日关系的国内、国际和双边方面，举行了多次研究会议，并单独发表了我们的研究成果，为完成我们关于美日关系150年的书做准备。在前一年所做工作的基础上，我们定期举行学习会议，包括两次静修，我们花了几天时间讨论彼此的工作，并邀请外部演讲者进入。我们正在进行的150年历史项目决定继续采用“十年”方法，通过将这种关系分成10年的时间段进行密集分析，来观察这种关系。美国和日本的决策过程都受到了同样详细的审查。每十年分配两名研究人员，从日本和美国的角度观察这一时期和关系。我们邀请了外部专家就我们各自的演讲和章节提供反馈和见解。我们赞助了两次务虚会，一次是在2006年7月19-22日，另一次是在2007年1月5-7日。在两次务虚会期间，作了15次以上的发言，并有相同数量的讨论时间和反馈时间。由于这种互动，我们对构成美日关系的国际、双边和国内问题的理解大大增加。我们已经向获奖出版商Yuhikaku提交了我们的书的各自章节，暂定为《美日关系150年》，预计该书将于2008年初出版。

This year, continuing the previous two years of research, the group examined the domestic, international, and bilateral aspects of the U.S.-Japan relationship, and held numerous study meetings and individually published our research findings, as we prepared for the completion of our book on 150 years of U.S.-Japan relations.Building on the work done the year before, we regularly held study sessions including two retreats where we spent several days discussing each other's work and inviting outside speakers to come in.The 150-year history project we are working on decided to continue to employ the "decade" approach, looking at the relationship by separating it into 10-year periods for intense analysis. Both the U.S. and Japan decision-making processes were looked at, in equal detail. Two researchers were assigned for each decade, looking at the period and relationship from Japanese and U.S. perspectives. Outside experts were brought in to provide feedback and insights on our respective presentations and chapters.We sponsored two retreats, one from July 19-22, 2006, and the other from January 5-7, 2007. Over the course of the two retreats, more than 15 presentations were made and an equal number of discussion periods and time for feedback. Our understanding of the international, bilateral, and domestic issues making up the relationship grew tremendously due to this interaction.We have submitted our respective chapters for our book tentatively titled 150 Years of U.S-Japan Relations (in Japanese) to the award-winning publisher, Yuhikaku, and expect it out in early 2008.