Ishikawa Noriyuki (Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Nihon University College of Law)
1. Introduction
Indonesia was a Dutch colony from the 17th century until its independence after World War II, although the regions under control varied, and with the exception of the Japanese wartime occupation from 1942 to 1945. Known as the Dutch East Indies at the time, its prewar relationship with Japan was close; even during Japan’s “closed country” period in the Edo era, when commerce was limited, Dutch ships traveled between Batavia (now Jakarta), a center of Asian trade, and Dejima in Nagasaki. Counting from 1609, when the Edo bakufu government gave its seal of approval to the Netherlands, Japan and the Netherlands have now been trading for over 410 years. From the early modern period through the prewar era and into modernity, the Netherlands has been an important part of Japan’s international relations history. The relationship between the two countries has not been limited to the trade of goods. The Dutch East Indies also saw exchange among people since the Meiji era.
According to the research of Yano Toru, Japan’s prewar involvement in Southeast Asia can be divided into the following three stages: First, the advance of the “female army” (karayuki-san) early in the Meiji era, and the primitive economic system parasitic therein; second, the commercial capital called “Toko Jepang” developed from the late Meiji era; and third, the Japanese “southern advance” policy of the 1930s [1]. The author has previously analyzed newspaper articles on Southeast Asia (South Seas) at the time with reference to these chronological categories, clarifying the changing awareness of the region in prewar Japan [2]. In 1912, the second of Yano’s chronological categories, the Japan–Netherlands Society was established. In Southeast Asia at the time, Japanese commerce was thriving in British Singapore, Dutch Java, and more, with interest in the area rising sharply within Japan as well. Furthermore, in the third chronological period, a new Japan–Netherlands Society was created jointly with the Japan–Dutch East Indies Association.
This paper introduces the Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society issued by the Society and briefly examines its historical value.
2. Merger of the Japan–Netherlands Society and Japan–Dutch East Indies Association
The current Japan–Netherlands Society is an amicable association established in 1954 after World War II, intended to “contribute toward the promotion of the mutual introduction and understanding of subjects related to, and the culture of, the Netherlands and Japan, and the promotion of amity and friendly relations between the people of both nations.” [3] The Newsletter introduced here was issued not by this society but by the one of the same name active before World War II. “Re-established” after the war, the Japan–Netherlands Society is nominally the same organization; however, as suggested by its commemorative events being counted from the postwar re-establishment date, the postwar Society has essentially replaced rather than continued the prewar organization.
The prewar Japan–Netherlands Society was first founded in December 1912, with Okuma Shigenobu as its first president. Officials included Matsumoto Kunpei, Nakai Kitaro, Adachi Kojin, and van de Bold (Counselor at the Legation of the Netherlands in Japan) [4]. In the column he then wrote for the Yomiuri Shimbun, “Trends of the South Seas” [5], Nakai raved that “South Seas development is Japan’s ideal employment,” arguing for “peaceful expansion” thereto; it was in this period that Japanese interest in the region began to increase. Thereafter, Matsura Atsushi (son of Matsura Akira, former domain lord of Hizen Hirado) became the Society’s president; as noted by Inoue Masaji, then a trustee of the South Seas Association, “the [Japan–Netherlands] Society was a small group of volunteers centered on Count Matsura, never reaching the common people” [6]; at this point in time, the Society accomplished little of note.
In contrast, the Japan–Dutch East Indies Association was launched in November 1919 with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its goal was to “promote mutual understanding and respect between Japan and the Dutch East Indies” [7]. This organization likewise “did little to speak of for some ten years, with even its name now forgotten” [8]; however, in 1930, it announced its “revival” [9] and resumed activities.
Thereafter, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs encouraged similar organizations to merge, leading to the merger of the two societies. On February 10, 1938, at the fourth Board Meeting of the Japan–Dutch East Indies Association, the agenda included “Merger of this Association with the Japan–Netherlands Society,” leading to a policy of merging the two organizations and creating a new Society. At the fifth Board Meeting on February 18, the discussion covered “Selection of officials and other necessary points relating to new articles after the merger of this Association with the Japan–Netherlands Society.” Based on the decisions therein, the Association held extraordinary Board of Trustees and General Meetings on February 25, thus establishing the new Japan–Netherlands Society [10].
The advisors, trustees, board members, and executive secretary of the newly established Japan–Netherlands Society are listed below. Advisor Fujiyama Raita died the same year as the Society’s establishment, and other changes in officials took place later through reselection, etc. However, the original list is provided here for reference as to the type of persons selected.
Advisors:
Prince Konoe Fumimaro / Fujiyama Raita
Trustees:
Ito Jirozaemon / Inabata Katsutaro / Inoue Masaji / Inoue Jihei
Isaka Takashi / Iizumi Ryozo / Hashimoto Keizaburo / Hoketsu Koji
Marquis Tokugawa Yoshichika / Marquis Tokugawa Yorisada / Ogura Masatsune / Otani Noboru
Otani Kozui / Baron Okura Kishichiro / Osawa Tokutaro / Okubo Toshikata
Oka Minoru / Okazaki Tadao / Okaya Sosuke / Watanabe Naotatsu
Kaku Sagataro / Kadono Jukuro / Kagami Kenkichi / Tajima Katsutaro
Tanaka Hiroshi / Tawara Magoichi / Takechi Naomichi / Taki Seiichi
Takigawa Gisaku / Takayama Sanpei / Soma Hanji / Nakamura Daisan
Nagayo Matao / Nagaoka Harukazu / Nanjo Kaneo / Murakami Naojiro
Nomura Tokushichi / Yamaji Tosataro / Yamazaki Kamekichi / Yasui Seiichiro
Yasukawa Yunosuke / Yasuda Jiro / Matsue Haruji / Matsushima Shikao
Fujiyama Aiichiro / Baron Fukao Ryutaro / Baron Furukawa Toranosuke / Funada Kazuo
Koriyama Satoshi / Enami Mitsuzo / Terao Susumu / Atsumi Ikuro
Ariyoshi Chuichi / Asano Heiji / Aoki Kentaro / Ataka Yakichi
Sato Naotake / Sakamoto Masaharu / Kitajima Taichi / Kimura Eiichi
Miyagawa Hyakutaro / Shimada Shigeru / Baron Shidehara Kijuro / Shimomura Hiroshi
Hirota Koki / Mori Kozo / Mori Heibei
Board Members:
Inoue Kojiro / Inoue Jibei / (Executive) Iizumi Ryozo
Jehan van Rooyen / Hattori Ichiro / Hoketsu Koji
Hosoda Shuzo / Watanabe Naotatsu / Watanabe Katsuie / Kadono Jukuro
Kaku Sagataro / Tanaka Hiroshi / Takayama Sanpei / Taki Seiichi
Murakami Naojiro / Yamaji Tosataro / Yamazaki Kamekichi / Yamamoto Kenji
Yasui Seiichiro / Matsue Haruji / Matsushima Shikao / Fujiyama Aiichiro
Goto Yoshitake / Enami Mitsuzo / (Executive) Terai Hisanobu / Terao Susumu
Ariyoshi Chuichi / Arimura Kan’ichi / Aoki Kentaro / Asano Heiji
Atsumi Ikuro / Ataka Yakichi / Sakamoto Masaharu / Kimura Eiichi
Kitaoka Haruo / Kitajima Taichi / Shimizu Yasuharu / Suizu Yakichi
Executive Secretary:
Kaminaga Hitoshi
3. Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society
(1) Context of establishment
As the name indicates, the Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society was intended for Society members rather than for public consumption. There were 160 members at the outset, 174 at the end of FY 1938, 170 at the end of FY 1939, and 172 at the end of FY 1940 [11]. As well as these full members, newsletters are thought to have been sent to relevant persons in Dutch and Japanese organizations [12].
The new Society was launched in February 1938, but it was not until December 1939 that its journal, the Newsletter, appeared. The first issue notes briefly that “due to various concerns, publication of the newsletter was postponed for some time,” without going into detail; the reasons why its establishment was delayed are unclear.
(2) Bibliographic information and availability
Four issues of the Newsletter have been confirmed. Volume 4 was issued on December 15, 1941, immediately after the outbreak of the Pacific War. Thereafter, at a Board Meeting held on March 23, 1942, the Japan–Netherlands Society decided on a reorganization: “In accordance with the rapidly changing situation concerning the Netherlands itself and the Dutch East Indies, the Society’s name will be changed to the Indonesia Society and new activities will be undertaken” [13]; it was therefore difficult to embark on a fifth issue, and Volume 4 can safely be considered the last.
As of December 2020, the National Diet Library holds Volumes 1 through 3 of the Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society; CiNii Books, run by the National Institute of Informatics, cannot confirm holdings in university libraries. Therefore, Volume 4 requires a search in holdings outside university and public libraries.
The volumes are listed below, with featured topics included as subtitles; each volume contains a leading article on the relevant topic.
Vol. 1 Inaugural issue (issued December 31, 1939)
Vol. 2 Dejima Holland House 300th anniversary issue (issued September 21, 1940)
Vol. 3 Japan–Dutch East Indies trade history issue (issued February 25, 1941)
Vol. 4 Japan–Netherlands cultural history issue (issued December 15, 1941)
4. Historical value and issues for examination: In lieu of a conclusion
With regard to prewar Japan’s so-called “involvement in Southeast Asia,” although considerable research has been conducted on the South Seas Association, attention to the organizations discussed here, the Japan–Netherlands Society and the Japan–Dutch East Indies Association, appears insufficient. Naturally, this is due in part to the lack of notable activities on the part of these societies. However, with regard to the Japan–Netherlands Society formed by their merger, attention is required in terms of historical background as well.
Japan’s southern advance appeared as official national policy when it was proposed at the Five-Minister Conference (the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, the Army, and the Navy) held by the Hirota Koki cabinet and accepted via a Cabinet decision as the “Basis for National Policy” in August 1936. The establishment of the new Japan–Netherlands Society can be viewed as a part of the demands of this era.
Furthermore, the new Society was established in February 1938, eighteen months or so after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Inoue Masaji, who became the Society’s vice-president upon its merger in these circumstances, wrote that “at this time, we hoped in particular that we would be able to demonstrate mutual sincerity, do away with misunderstandings, eliminate suspicions, exchange resources, and come and go freely; thereupon, we must work to enhance one another’s benefits.” He added “Gaining others’ understanding of Japan’s true intentions must come first, with the efforts of both public and private sectors required in order to attain this understanding; it is the point requiring the greatest effort on the part of this Society” [14]. In other words, the Japan–Netherlands Society considered its own duties to include explaining Japan’s stance of “constructing a new East Asian order” to the Netherlands, as an amicable organization bringing together the Netherlands, Japan, and the Dutch East Indies. Clarifying the details of these activities may shed greater light on the actual status of Japan’s “southern advance” at the time.
This text is limited to the introduction of historical documents and has thus not addressed this research in detail; the author hopes, however, to continue the analysis of these documents to investigate the relationship of prewar Japan and the “South Seas.”
Notes
[1] Yano Toru, “Nanshin” no keifu: Nihon no nan’yoshi kan (Record of the “southern advance”: Perspectives on Japanese South Seas history) Chikura Shobo, 2009, pp. 107–108.
[2] Ishikawa Noriyuki, “Senzenki Nihon no ‘Nan’yo’ ninshiki to media gensetsu (Prewar Japan’s ‘South Seas’ awareness and media discourse)” in Seikei Kenkyu (Studies in Political Science and Economics) Vol. 56 No. 2, July 2019, pp. 301–326.
[3] Japan–Netherlands Society website http://www.j-nls.org/
[4] “Nichiran Kyokai naru (Japan–Netherlands Society established)”, Yomiuri Shimbun, December 11, 1912, morning edition p. 1.
[5] Kinjosei “Nan’yo no ozei (Crowds of the South Seas) (1) to (27) Yomiuri Shimbun, August 11 to October 5, 1913.
[6] Inoue Masaji “Honkai no mokuhyo (Objectives of this Society)” Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society Vol. 1, December 1939, p. 6.
[7] “Nihon Ranryo Indo Kyokai setchi ni kan suru ken: Taisho 8-nen 12-gatsu (Establishment of the Japan–Dutch East Indies Association: December 1919)” JACAR (Japan Center for Asian Historical Records) Ref. B10073761900 “Kakkoku taigai tsusho boeki shinkosaku kankei zakken, fu gaikoku boeki jokyo hokoku (Various items concerning foreign trade promotion policy, including reports on foreign trade status)” Vol. 2, B-3-2-1-34_002 (Held by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Archives)
[8] “Batavia Kotani Soryoji Dairi laiden “Batavia Kotani Acting Consul Telegram)” JACAR, Ref. B04012370000 (from 7th image), “Kakkoku ni okeru kyokai oyobi bunka dantai kankei zakken/Rankoku no bu (zokuryochi wo fukumu) (Various items on associations and cultural organizations in each country/Netherlands section (including colonies)” I-1-10-0-1_2 (Held by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic Archives)
[9] “Nichiran Kyokai [Nihon Ranryo Indo Kyokai] no fukkatsu shukugakai (Japan–Netherlands Society [Japan–Dutch East Indies Association] revival celebration)” Tokyo Asahi Shimbun, August 2, 1930, morning edition p.2.
[10] “Honkai hokoku (Report on the Society)” Newsletter of the Japan–Netherlands Society Vol. 1, p. 84.
[11] For membership numbers, see the “Teiji sokai jigyo oyobi kaikei hokoku (Report on regular General Meeting business and accounts)” in the newsletters.
[12] The originals of the historical materials confirmed by the author, initially donated to the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce, were discarded and later found as used books.
[13] “Nichiran Kyokai no kaimei (Japan–Netherlands Society changes name)” Asahi Shimbun, March 24, 1942, morning edition p.3.
[14] Inoue, op. cit., p. 9.
（本文は、2021年7月16日に当サイトにて公開した、石川徳幸 史料紹介「『日蘭協会会報』（日蘭協会、1939 〜1941 年）（『報告・論文集』所収）」の英語版です。）