The Origins of Contemporary Sino-Japanese Relations

The book delves into Zhou Enlai's formative years in Japan, highlighting his intellectual awakening in Marxism through the influence of scholar Kawakami Hajime. By analyzing primary sources such as diaries and letters, Itoh uncovers Zhou's reflections on saving China from imperialism and his deep understanding of Japanese society. These experiences significantly shaped his approach to post-World War II Chinese foreign policy and laid the groundwork for modern Sino-Japanese relations.