This special issue on “Beyond Comparison: Japan and Its Colonial Empire in Transimperial Relations," guest edited by Satoshi Mizutani (Doshisha University), brings together four research articles whose themes include the nature of the colonial protectorate in the British and French empires, linguistic and education policies in the German Empire, French colonialism in Indochina during the Second World War, and the anti-British activities of Indian nationalists in exile.This is not just another collection of comparative research. As the issue’s title suggests, the authors aim to show why the very idea of comparing needs to be transcended.
In addition to this themed set of contributions, this issue also features reviews of thirteen new and recent Asian studies publications, including a set of four monographs on Vietnam and a Japanese-language book that examines the suzerainty concept in the East and West.