Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Centre for Documentation & Area-Transcultural Studies
Central Coordination Committee
Objectives and Plan Activity Reports Recent Acquisitions


RECENT ACQUISITION

"Microfilm Recording of Journals for the Study of the History of Japan-India Relations" has been completed

Report by Shusaku MATSUMOTO
(Guest Lecturer at Daito Bunka University
21st Century COE "Central Coordination Committee" Fellow)

The microfilm recording of the publications, "Nichiinkyokai kaiho (Journal of the Indo-Japanese Association: 1909-1954)", "Indo-Karukatta-Nihon-Shohinkan Kanpo (Bulletin of the Indo-Japanese Commercial Museum: 1927-1934)" , and "Nichiinkyokai Indo-Karukatta-Nihon-Shohinkan Kanpo (Bulletin of the Indo-Japanese Commercial Museum: 1935-1937)" has now been completed. They will become valuable sources of information for the study of the history of Japan-India relations from the Meiji era onwards. We have not found any library with a complete set of all the above publications. There were also some issues, existence of which was confirmed for the first time through this project.
"Journal of the Indo-Japanese Association" was started in 1909 and published until 1944. During the post-World War II occupation, it was renamed the "Journal of the Indo-Japanese Economic Association" and continued to be published. In 1952, it returned to its original title and was published until 1954. Then its title was changed again to "India." The current project covered all issues up to 1954.

In the First Period (Pre-World War II), India was under special circumstances as a British colony. Japan and India were very important trade partners. Contributors include not only Japanese politicians, businessmen, and academics, but also Indian nationals and other non-Japanese. The publications also record in great detail the comings and goings of people between the two countries and various topics to the relationship. The first eight issues were discovered and recorded for the first time.

It should be noted that an extraordinary thing about this publication is that complete English editions were published during this period. From 1911 through 1927, a total of 15 English issues - "Journal of the Indo-Japanese Association" - were published. This is strong evidence of the efforts that were made to disseminate information abroad.

The Second Period (primarily during the post-war Occupation) sees the Association change its name to Indo-Japanese Economic Association. The publications are valuable historical documents in understanding the Japan-India relationship in post-war period. The publications issued during this period can only be found at the Association. For this reason, the microfilm recording of the publications and their being made available to the public are actions that will serve the potential users.

The Third Period sees the Association renamed - although for just a short period - to its original name. From this time onwards, we can observe new developments in post-war Japan-India relations.

The Bulletin of the Indo-Japanese Commercial Museum (1927-1937) of Calcutta can be referred to as a very specific record of the commercial museum for the purpose of market development. It endeavoured not only to show Japanese products but also to report Indian politics, the economy, society, and culture. Its historical role in the Japan-India relations is important. The publication is an interesting historical record of its activities.