A Review of the State of Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Japanese Academia

Xi Jinping once pointed out, "China and Japan are close neighbors separated by a strip of water. For more than two thousand years, peace and friendship have been the main theme in the hearts of the people of both countries. The two peoples have learned from each other, promoted each other's development, and made important contributions to the progress of human civilization." Japan is an important base for overseas Chinese studies and also a country that we cannot bypass when studying the overseas dissemination of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Observing the "gaze of a close neighbor" and its perspective helps us better understand, know, and improve ourselves—this is the proper meaning of "learning from each other." Since the 19th National Congress of the CPC [1]1 Masao Maruyama (1914–1996): a prominent Japanese political scientist and historian of political thought., Japanese academia has conducted extensive research and discussion on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Grasping the current state of Japanese academic research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, sorting out its important research topics and hot issues, and summarizing the main characteristics of its research are of great practical significance for constructing an international interpretation system for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, strengthening the building of international communication capacity, and presenting a true, multidimensional, and comprehensive China to the world.

习近平曾指出，“中日一衣带水，2000多年来，和平友好是两国人民心中的主旋律，两国人民互学互鉴，促进了各自发展，也为人类文明进步作出了重要贡献”。日本是海外中国学研究的重要阵地，也是我们研究习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想海外传播所绕不开的国家。观察“近邻的目光”和视角有助于我们更好地认识、了解和提升自己，这是“互学互鉴”的应有之义。党的十九大以来，日本学界对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想展开广泛研究和讨论，把握日本学界关于习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的研究现状，梳理其研究的重要议题和热点问题，总结其研究呈现的主要特点，对于构建习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想国际阐释体系，加强国际传播能力建设，向世界展示真实、立体、全面的中国等方面具有重要的现实意义。

I. Japanese Academia's Attention to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Continues to Rise

一、日本学界对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的关注度不断提升

In recent years, the number of books, academic papers, and other materials related to the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era collected by Japanese libraries has shown a clear increasing trend. As of November 2, 2024, a search using the keyword "Xi Jinping Thought" in CiNii, the largest academic paper database in Japan operated by the National Institute of Informatics, showed that various types of libraries in Japan have collected as many as 397 books in Chinese, Japanese, English, and other languages, 2,651 related academic papers, and 31 related research projects. In comparison, when searched on April 18, 2021, the number of related books was 249, and academic papers were 1,786. Regarding the collection of books such as *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China*, the Chinese edition (2014) of Volume I is held by 26 libraries and the Japanese edition by 20; the Chinese edition (2018) is held by 2 libraries and the Japanese edition by 4; the Chinese edition of Volume II is held by 5 libraries and the Japanese edition by 7; the Chinese edition of Volume III is held by 8 libraries and the Japanese edition by only 1; the Chinese edition of Volume IV is held by 9 libraries and the Japanese edition by 1. This represents a significant improvement over the situation in 2017, when only the National Diet Library of Japan held a single Japanese edition of *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China*. This also means that Japan's attention to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has markedly increased. In addition, some Japanese libraries have also collected Chinese theoretical monographs published by the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Theoretical Department of the People's Daily, the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese scholars that explain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, as well as Japanese scholars' direct translations of Chinese scholars' monographs.

近年来，日本图书馆收录习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想相关研究的图书、学术论文等呈明显增长趋势。截止2024年11月2日，以“习近平思想”为关键词在日本国立情报研究所运营的、日本国内最大的学术论文数据库——CiNii上进行检索，结果显示，日本各类图书馆收录中文版、日文版、英文版及其他语种版本的相关书籍多达397册，收录相关学术论文2651篇，相关科研项目31项。而在2021年4月18日检索时，相关图书数量是249册，学术论文1786篇。从收录《习近平谈治国理政》等相关书籍的情况来看，《习近平谈治国理政》(第一卷)2014年中文版有26家、日文版有20家图书馆收录，2018年中文版有2家、日文版有4家图书馆收录；《习近平谈治国理政》(第二卷)中文版有5家、日文版有7家图书馆收录；《习近平谈治国理政》(第三卷)中文版有8家图书馆收录，日文版仅有1家图书馆收录；《习近平谈治国理政》(第四卷)中文版有9家、日文版有1家图书馆收录。这比“2017年仅有日本国会国立图书馆这一家图书馆收录一本日文版《习近平谈治国理政》”的情况明显取得好转。这也意味着日本对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的关注度明显提升。另外，日本还有一些图书馆收录了中宣部、人民日报理论部、中共中央党史与文献研究院以及中国学者阐释习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的中文理论专著，也有日本学者直接翻译中国学者的专著被收录。

In terms of theoretical works, Japanese libraries have collected 210 books by Japanese authors, 152 Chinese books, 9 English books, and books in other languages. Among Japanese-language publications, Lin Wangdao's *Xi Jinping's China: A Century of Dreams and Reality* (Iwanami Shoten, 2017) is held by the largest number of libraries—448; Satoshi Amako's *Sino-Japanese Confrontation: Reading Xi Jinping's China* (Chikuma Shobo, 2013) is held by 178 libraries, ranking second; Koichi Ishihara's *Xi Jinping's Chinese Economy: The Trilemma of Affluence, Efficiency, and Equity* (Chikuma Shobo, 2019) is held by 144 libraries, ranking third. It should be noted that Japanese academic theoretical works pay close attention to the policy propositions of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core in various aspects. Among Chinese-language documents, besides *Xi Jinping: The Governance of China*, *Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discussions on Building a Clean Party and Fighting Corruption* (Central Party Literature Press, China Fangzheng Press, 2015) is held by 8 libraries; *Compilation of Laws, Regulations, and Systems on Building a Clean Party and Fighting Corruption since the 18th National Congress of the CPC* (China Fangzheng Press, 2015) is held by 7 libraries; *In-depth Study of Comrade Xi Jinping's Important Speeches on Building a Clean Party and Fighting Corruption* (People's Daily Press, 2014) is held by 6 libraries, with collection numbers significantly higher than other related books.

在理论著作方面，日本图书馆收录的日本学者著作有210册，中文著作152册，英文相关著作9本及其他语种的著作。其中，在日文文献中，林望道著的《习近平的中国：百年梦想和现实》(岩波书店，2017)被收录的数量最多，达到448家图书馆；天儿慧著的《日中对立：读习近平的中国》(筑摩书房，2013)被178家图书馆收录，居第二位；石原亨一著的《习近平的中国经济：富强、效率和公平的三难选择》(筑摩书房，2019)被144家图书馆收录，居第三位。需要指出的是，日本学界的理论著作对以习近平同志为核心的中共中央的各方面政策主张给予高度关注。在中文文献中，除了《习近平谈治国理政》外，《习近平关于党风廉政建设与反腐败斗争论述摘编》(中央文献出版社、中国方正出版社，2015年)有8家图书馆收录，《十八大以来党风廉政建设和反腐败法规制度汇编》(中国方正出版社，2015年)有7家图书馆收录，《深入学习习近平同志关于党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争重要讲话》(人民日报出版社，2014年)有6家图书馆收录，收录数量明显多于其他相关图书。

II. Key Content of Japanese Academic Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

二、日本学界习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究的重点内容

Since the 19th National Congress of the CPC proposed Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Japanese academia's attention to the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics has markedly increased. In particular, a group of experts and scholars who interpret, evaluate, and track research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era have emerged, such as Murata Yoshiro and Ohnishi Hiroshi. The theoretical achievements of Japanese academic research and interpretation provide a unique research perspective for understanding and recognizing the world impact and international response of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Their focus on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is concentrated in the following four areas:

自党的十九大提出习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想以来，日本学界对中国特色社会主义理论和实践的关注度明显上升。特别是出现了一批解读、评价及追踪研究习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的专家学者，如村田忠禧、大西广等。日本学界研究和解读的理论成果，为我们理解和认识习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的世界影响和国际反响提供一个独特的研究视角。他们对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的关注点主要集中在以下四个方面：

(A) Chinese-Path Modernization

(一)中国式现代化

Chinese-path modernization is the golden path to building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. Since the concept of Chinese-path modernization was proposed, it has attracted attention from Japanese academia, and a wealth of theoretical research results interpreting it from various aspects has emerged.

中国式现代化是强国建设、民族复兴的康庄大道。中国式现代化概念提出以后，引起日本学界的关注，涌现出从各个方面进行解读的理论研究成果。

1. The Scientific Connotation of Chinese-Path Modernization

1.中国式现代化的科学内涵。

Okamoto Nobuhiro, professor at the Faculty of International Relations of Daito Bunka University, pointed out that Chinese-path modernization "while maintaining the socialist system led by the Communist Party, utilizes the market economy to achieve modernization in agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology… it can also be described as the modernization of the economic and social structure excluding politics." Chinese-path modernization is socialist modernization, a point that has received attention from relevant Japanese scholars. Murata Yoshiro, professor emeritus at Yokohama National University, comparing it with capitalist modernization, pointed out that Chinese-path modernization "takes the socialist road, and the difference from capitalist modernization lies in the difference in political systems… In other words, China pursues substantive equality, while capitalist societies particularly value formal equality. This is precisely the difference between the different systems of China and Japan."

大东文化大学国际关系学部教授冈本信广指出，中国式现代化“在保持共产党主导的社会主义体系的同时，利用市场经济实现农业、工业、国防、科学技术方面的现代化……也可以说是除去政治以外的经济社会结构的现代化”。中国式现代化是社会主义的现代化，这一点得到日本有关学者的关注。横滨国立大学名誉教授村田忠禧在与资本主义现代化作比较的基础上指出，中国式现代化“走的是社会主义道路，其与资本主义现代化非常不同的一点是政治体制的差异……换言之，中国追求的是实质平等，而资本主义社会特别重视形式平等。这正是中日两国不同制度体系下的差异所在。”

2. Notable Achievements of Chinese-Path Modernization

2.中国式现代化的显著成就。

Japanese academia has conducted in-depth discussions from perspectives such as economic growth and social progress. Sonoda Shigeto, professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of Tokyo, pointed out that Chinese-path modernization has accelerated the development of the market economy, created a new era of rapid economic development, and brought space for free activity to various economic entities. Kondo Daisuke, deputy editor-in-chief of Kodansha's *Gendai Business* magazine, pointed out that Chinese-path modernization has broken the myth of "modernization = Westernization" and revealed another face of modernization. This can also be said to be China's declaration of "taking its own path" in the future, that is, a path of modernization under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Nakanishi Kazuji, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, believes that Chinese-path modernization has brought about a general increase in per capita national income, material abundance, and a reduction in the number of poor people.

日本学界从经济增长、社会进步等角度展开了深入探讨。东京大学东洋文化研究所教授园田茂人指出，中国式现代化加快了市场经济发展，创造出了经济快速发展的新时代，为各个经济主体带来了自由活动的空间。讲谈社《现代商业》杂志副主编近藤大介指出，中国式现代化打破了“现代化=西方化”的迷思，展现出现代化的另一个面貌。这也可以说是中国今后“走自己的路”的宣言，即在习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指导下的现代化道路。东京大学名誉教授中兼和津次认为，中国式现代化带来了人均国民收入水平的普遍提高、物质生活的充裕以及贫困人口的减少。

3. Reasons for the Success of Chinese-Path Modernization

3.中国式现代化取得成功的原因。

Japanese scholars interpret from multiple perspectives such as resources, international environment, and politics, putting forward views such as "the big country scale theory," "the external stimulus promotion theory," "the political stability theory," "the latecomer advantage theory," and "the traditional inheritance theory." A typical view regarding the "big country scale theory" is that Japanese scholars especially mention China's demographic and labor advantages, which they consider advantages that many countries find difficult to possess in their modernization process. For instance, Nakanishi Kazuji pointed out that abundant labor resources are a unique advantage supporting the steady and long-term progress of Chinese-path modernization: "China is a populous country that can provide a large amount of labor, and due to the popularization of basic education, the quality of the labor force is relatively high." Takahara Akio, professor at the University of Tokyo, also pointed out that "the Chinese characteristics in the way the country operates and its development strategies mostly stem from China's land area and population size, as well as its potential as a huge market. These conditions are not imitable by other countries." Regarding the "external stimulus promotion theory," Yasukawa Kazuo, professor at Asia University, believes that in the process of advancing modernization, China "used overseas funds and technology to accelerate its integration into the world economic integration process, which allowed China's productive forces to achieve a leapfrog development… In trade, China gradually shifted from exports centered on developed countries to seeking to develop markets in developing countries, guiding foreign investment to transfer industries to inland areas, and strengthening close economic ties with the world." In addition, some Japanese scholars interpret it from perspectives such as "political stability" and "latecomer advantage."

日本学者从资源、国际环境、政治等多角度进行解读，提出了“大国规模说”“外源促动说”“政治稳定说”“后发优势说”“传统因袭说”等观点。关于“大国规模说”的典型观点之一，日本学者尤其提到中国所具有的人口优势和劳动力优势，认为这是许多国家在实现现代化进程中都难以具备的优势。比如中兼和津次就指出，劳动力资源丰富是支撑中国式现代化行稳致远的独特优势，“中国是可提供大量劳动力的人口大国，而且由于基础教育的普及，劳动力的素质比较高”。东京大学教授高原明生也指出，“在国家运行方式以及发展战略方面的中国特色，多数都源自于中国的国土面积和人口规模，以及其作为一个巨大市场的潜力，而上述条件并不是其他国家能够模仿的。”关于“外源促动说”,亚细亚大学教授游川和郎认为，中国在推进现代化建设的过程中，“利用海外资金和技术加速融入世界经济一体化进程，这让中国的生产力得到飞跃性发展……在贸易方面，中国从以发达国家为中心的出口，逐渐转向谋求向发展中国家开拓市场，引导外资向内陆地区进行产业转移，加强与世界经济紧密联系。”此外，还有一些日本学者则从“政治稳定”“后发优势”等角度进行解读。

4. Important Experiences of Chinese-Path Modernization

4.中国式现代化的重要经验。

Some Japanese scholars believe that the smooth progress of Chinese-path modernization benefits from the support of the socialist democratic political system with Chinese characteristics. Murata Yoshiro pointed out, "China's system of people's congresses is very different from Japan's parliamentary system. Japan's full-time members of parliament have high salaries, while China's people's representatives receive no special salary; China, as a multi-ethnic country, adopts the principle that each ethnic group elects at least one representative, achieving substantive equality for everyone, which is essentially different from capitalism's focus only on formal equality." Some Japanese scholars point out that the Communist Party of China strives to narrow the income gap in the process of advancing Chinese-path modernization and is committed to gradually achieving common prosperity. This is an important experience of Chinese-path modernization. Ohnishi Hiroshi, professor emeritus at Keio University, pointed out, "Common prosperity is the necessary path for Chinese-path modernization." Takasawa Manabu, director and head of the Research Department of the Japan-China Economic Association, pointed out, "China has achieved high-quality development and a moderately prosperous society in all respects through rapid economic development, accelerated urbanization, and accelerated scientific and technological research and development. Sustained and stable economic growth is one of the necessary conditions for building a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics." The above views provide multi-dimensional interpretations of the important experiences of Chinese-path modernization from different angles.

部分日本学者认为，中国式现代化的平稳推进得益于中国特色社会主义民主政治制度的支撑。村田忠禧指出，“中国的人民代表大会制度与日本的议会制度有很大区别，日本的专职议员拥有高工资，中国的人民代表没有专门工资；中国作为多民族国家，采用了每个民族至少派一名人大代表的原则，实现了实质上的人人平等，与资本主义只注重形式上的平等具有本质区别”。有日本学者指明，中国共产党在推进中国式现代化进程中努力缩小收入差距，致力于逐步实现共同富裕，这是中国式现代化一条重要的经验。日本庆应义塾大学名誉教授大西广指出，“共同富裕是中国式现代化的必经之路”。日本日中经济协会董事、研究部部长高见泽学指出，“中国通过经济的快速发展、城镇化的加快进程以及加快推进科技研发等，实现了高质量发展和全面小康社会。经济持续稳定增长是建设中国特色社会主义现代化国家的必要条件之一。”上述观点从不同角度对中国式现代化的重要经验进行了多维解读。

(B) Common Prosperity

(二)共同富裕

China's modernization is "the modernization of common prosperity for all the people." Japan is a country with a large gap between rich and poor, and the trend has been widening in recent years. Japanese academia has paid close attention to the common prosperity proposed by the Communist Party of China, making it an academic research hotspot.

中国的现代化是“全体人民共同富裕的现代化”。日本是贫富差距较大的国家，而且近年来还有进一步拉大的趋势。日本学界对中国共产党提出的共同富裕予以高度关注，成为一个学术研究热点问题。

1. The Scientific Connotation of Common Prosperity

1.共同富裕的科学内涵。

Japanese scholars have studied and interpreted the concept and practice of common prosperity by the Communist Party of China. First, they have commented on "letting some get rich first to drive others, and ultimately achieving common prosperity." Tanaka Osamu, director of the New Area Research Center of the Institute of Developing Economies, Japan, pointed out that common prosperity "is neither for everyone to become rich at the same time, nor for all regions to reach the same level of affluence simultaneously. Different people may have higher or lower levels of wealth, and the timing may be earlier or later. Different regions also have certain differences in affluence. It is impossible for everyone to walk side by side. This is a development process advancing dynamically, requiring continuous efforts and continuous achievements." Second, they have analyzed the focus of common prosperity on increasing the proportion of middle-income groups. The "Proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives for 2035," reviewed and approved by the Fifth Plenary Session of the 19th CPC Central Committee [2]2 Yukio Hatoyama: Prime Minister of Japan from 2009 to 2010., proposes to "focus on increasing the income of low-income groups and expanding the middle-income group" during the 14th Five-Year Plan period and to "significantly expand the middle-income group" by 2035. Miura Yuji, researcher at the Japan Research Institute, wrote that "the purpose of common prosperity is to expand the middle class, which helps transition to a consumption-led economy, improve the quality of economic development, and achieve social harmony and stability. Common prosperity can be interpreted as a way to resolve social equity contradictions that have been postponed, such as income disparities, during the process of rapid economic development, thereby enhancing the people's trust and support for the Communist Party of China."

日本学者对中国共产党的共同富裕的理念和实践进行了研究和解读。一是对“先富带后富，最终实现共同富裕”进行了评析。日本亚洲经济研究所新领域研究中心主任田中修指出，共同富裕“既不是所有人同时富裕，也不是所有地区同时达到一个富裕水平，不同的人富裕程度既有高者也有低者，时间上也有先者也有后者，不同的地区富裕程度还有一定的差异，所有人并肩前行是不可能的。这是一个动态中前进的发展进程，必须不断推进，不断取得成果”。二是对共同富裕注重中等收入群体增长展开分析。党的十九届五中全会审议通过的《中共中央关于制定国民经济和社会发展第十四个五年规划和二〇三五年远景目标的建议》提出，在“十四五”时期“着力提高低收入群体收入，扩大中等收入群体”,到2035年“中等收入群体显著扩大”。日本综合研究所研究员三浦有史撰文指出，“共同富裕的目的在于扩大中产阶级，有助于向消费主导经济过渡、提高经济发展质量、实现社会和谐稳定。共同富裕可以解释为，在经济快速发展进程中通过解决收入差距等被推迟的社会公平矛盾，进而提高国民对中国共产党的信任和支持。”

2. The Unique Approach to Common Prosperity

2.共同富裕的独特方式。

Many scholars believe that China's common prosperity has a unique approach. Its connotation includes, first, specific policies that differ from the path to prosperity of Western countries. Ohnishi Hiroshi emphasized that China has begun to embark on a unique path different from developed countries, specifically including labor transfer, new city construction, and the creation of new industrial structures. Second, China's common prosperity focuses on the proportional growth of the middle-income group, thereby driving the whole society towards prosperity. Tanaka Nobuhiko, lecturer at the Graduate School of Asian and International Strategy, Asia University, pointed out, "To change the way capital is distributed, China has proposed common prosperity. This is not a society where only the rich become richer, but one that expands the disposable income of the middle-class group, making the whole society more affluent." Japanese scholar Yoshida Yosuke gave a high evaluation, writing that China is trying to combine "top-down regulation" and "bottom-up regulation" to achieve "common prosperity," which is an important indicator of the maturity of social development.

许多学者认为中国的共同富裕具有独特的方式，其内涵一是具体政策不同于西方国家的富强之路。大西广强调，中国开始走不同于发达国家的独特道路,具体包括劳动力转移、新城市建设、创造新的产业结构等。二是中国的共同富裕注重中等收入群体的比例增长，以此带动整个社会走向富强的步伐。亚细亚大学研究生院亚洲国际战略研究课讲师田中信彦指出，“为了改变资本分配方式，中国提出了共同富裕，这不仅仅是富人更加富裕的社会，而是扩大中产阶级群体的可支配收入，使整个社会变得更加富裕”。日本学者吉田阳介予以高度评价，他撰文指出，中国正试图将“自上而下的调节”和“自下而上的调节”结合起来实现“共同富裕”,这是社会发展成熟度的重要标志。

3. The World Significance of Common Prosperity

3.共同富裕的世界意义。

Solving the problem of poverty and narrowing the income gap is a common challenge facing the world. Many Japanese scholars interpret China's common prosperity policy from perspectives such as its significance to humanity and its value as a reference for the world. Takahashi Daisuke, researcher at the Japan External Trade Organization, wrote, "Correcting the gap between rich and poor is a global issue. China's measures for common prosperity have attracted much attention." Ohnishi Hiroshi pointed out that common prosperity is a good medicine for dealing with population decline… Currently, there is no successful case in the world of dealing with population decline, but it is hoped that China, by raising the income of low-income groups to achieve "common prosperity," will show the world the socialist system's answer to population decline.

解决贫困问题，缩小收入差距是全世界面临的一个共同难题。许多日本学者从人类意义和世界借鉴价值等角度解读中国的共同富裕政策。日本贸易振兴机构研究员高桥大辅撰文指出，“纠正贫富差距是世界性的课题，中国共同富裕的举措备受关注”。大西广指出，共同富裕是应对人口减少的良药……目前，世界上还没有成功应对人口减少的案例，但希望中国通过提高低收入群体的收入来实现“共同富裕”,向世界展示应对人口减少的社会主义制度答案。

(C) The Belt and Road Initiative

(三)“一带一路”倡议

Japanese academia pays close attention to China's Belt and Road Initiative, forming many representative research viewpoints.

日本学界高度关注中国提出的“一带一路”倡议，形成了许多代表性的研究观点。

1. Affirmation of the Global Significance of the Belt and Road Initiative

1.肯定“一带一路”的全球意义。

In October 2023, an international symposium on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative was held in Tokyo, Japan, sparking a wave of research on the Belt and Road Initiative in Japan. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda stated at the symposium, "Chairman Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative is a great concept, the realization of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and is admirable. The achievements of the Belt and Road Initiative over the past ten years will also be verified from various angles at this symposium." On this point, Kimura Tomoyoshi also pointed out, "Xi Jinping's Belt and Road concept is not limited to countries along the Belt and Road routes but is a global-scale concept. Nor is it, as Japanese media claims, merely a 'giant economic sphere' concept at the economic level; it is a concept of international order closely related to building global partnerships and global governance."

2023年10月，在日本东京举办“一带一路”倡议10周年国际研讨会，掀起了日本国内研究“一带一路”的热潮。日本原首相福田康夫在会上发言指出，“习近平主席提出的‘一带一路’是一个伟大的构想，是人类命运共同体理念的实现，令人钦佩。‘一带一路’倡议提出10年来的成果，也将从这个研讨会的各个角度得到验证”。关于这一点，木村知义也指出，“习近平提出的‘一带一路’构想不是仅停留在‘一带一路’沿线国家，而是一个全球规模的构想。‘一带一路’也不是日本媒体所说的仅停留在经济层面的‘巨大经济圈’构想，而是与构建全球伙伴关系和全球治理密切相关的国际秩序的一种构想。”

2. Correctly Publicizing and Interpreting the Belt and Road Initiative

2.正确宣传和解读“一带一路”倡议。

In November 2017, Japan established the first "Belt and Road Japan Research Center," aiming to promote Belt and Road cooperation, inviting former Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda as its supreme advisor and former Ambassador to the United Nations Makoto Taniguchi as advisors, with participation in research by well-known figures from Japan's political, academic, and industrial circles. In December 2018, the institution published a research report titled *From the Belt and Road: The Road to a New Eurasian Century*. The report clearly states that the Belt and Road Initiative is based on the information revolution of the 21st century to promote global governance reform, achieve common development through connectivity, and eliminate gaps between countries. Therefore, different from the military alliances led by Europe and the United States, this initiative aims to promote global socio-economic development, including developing countries, and will inevitably open up a "New Eurasian Century Road" by "linking Asia and Europe," becoming a public good of the new century, a platform for regional cooperation, a model for sustainable development, and a paradigm of global governance. Currently, many Japanese scholars are committed to correctly publicizing and interpreting China's Belt and Road Initiative. For example, Kondo Eiichi, professor emeritus at the Graduate School of the University of Tsukuba, once pointed out that a few erroneous interpretations within Japan of the Belt and Road strategic concept "are the result of ignorance of the actual international community and information manipulation, a distortion of understanding of China."

2017年11月，日本成立首家“一带一路日本研究中心”,以推进“一带一路”合作为目标，邀请到前首相福田康夫任最高顾问、前驻联合国大使谷口诚等任顾问，日本的政界、学界和产业界知名人士参与研究工作。2018年12月该机构出版了《从一带一路出发：亚欧新世纪之路》研究报告。该报告明确指出，“一带一路”倡议是基于21世纪的信息革命来推动全球治理变革，通过互联互通来实现共同发展、消除国家间的差距。因此，该倡议与欧美主导的军事同盟不同，它以推动包括发展中国家在内的全球社会经济发展为目标，必将通过“连亚连欧”开辟“亚欧新世纪之路”,成为新世纪的公共产品、区域合作的平台、可持续发展的样本、全球治理的典范。当前，许多日本学者致力于正确宣传和解读我国的“一带一路”倡议，例如筑波大学研究生院名誉教授近藤荣一就曾指出，日本国内对“一带一路”战略构想的少数错误解读“是对现实的国际社会无知和信息操作的结果，是对中国认识的扭曲。”

3. Analyzing the Impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Japan

3.分析“一带一路”倡议对日本的影响。

Japanese scholars study the impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on Japan from the perspective of Japan's actual interests, especially its impact on Japan's economy. This also constitutes a key content of Japanese research on this issue. Togo Kazuhiko, professor at Tokyo University of Industry, based on a review of changes in Japan's foreign policy from 2013 to 2017, from a diplomatic perspective, pointed out that in order to find a balance between China and the United States, Japan, driven by economic interests, turned to actively pay attention to and attempted to get involved in the Belt and Road concept. Fukui Takatoshi, overseas business advisor at the Asia Economic Research Center of Japan, pointed out that although Japan holds a negative attitude toward the Belt and Road Initiative, it affirms the Japanese government's behavior in affirming the Belt and Road Initiative out of practical interests, and uses oil supply as an example to point out the significance of building a Sino-Japanese community: "Strengthening Sino-Japanese cooperation in third-party markets helps promote the diversification of oil supply sources and transportation routes, thereby reducing supply risks."

日本学者从日本的实际利益出发研究“一带一路”对日本的影响，特别是对日本经济的影响。这也构成了日本研究这一问题的重点内容。东京产业大学教授东乡和彦从外交视角在梳理2013-2017年日本外交政策变化的基础上指出，为了寻求与中美之间的平衡点，日本从经济利益出发转而积极关注并试图涉足“一带一路”构想。日本亚洲经济研究中心海外商务顾问福井孝敏指出，尽管日本对“一带一路”倡议持消极态度，但对日本政府从实际利益出发肯定“一带一路”倡议的行为表示肯定，并以石油供应为例指出构建中日两国共同体的重要意义。即“通过强化中日在第三方市场的合作，有助于促进石油供应源以及运输途径的多样化，从而降低供应风险”。

(D) A Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

(四)人类命运共同体

Since Xi Jinping first proposed the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 2013, Japanese academia has paid close attention to it and achieved some important research results.

习近平2013年在莫斯科国际关系学院首次提出构建人类命运共同体理念以来，日本学界予以高度关注并取得一些重要研究成果。

1. The Scientific Connotation of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

1.人类命运共同体的科学内涵。

Ishida Takashi, researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University, pointed out that the basic concepts of a community with a shared future for mankind include "seeking mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, not zero-sum games," "being open, not closed," and "seeking cooperation, not confrontation." The development concept of mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and cooperation is fundamentally different from the traditional survival-of-the-fittest model of globalization. Machida Hodaka, visiting researcher at the Japan Institute of Local Economics, pointed out that a community with a shared future for mankind has no clear definition, and as its name suggests, its purpose is that "humanity has only one earth, so the fates of humanity are interconnected, and all countries in the world should cooperate for the peace, security, and prosperity of all mankind." These views essentially accurately grasp the scientific connotation of the community with a shared future for mankind.

日本明治学院大学国际和平研究所研究员石田隆至指出，人类命运共同体的基本理念包括“要互利共赢，不搞零和博弈”“要开放，不要封闭”“要合作，不要对抗”。互利共赢、合作的发展理念与传统的优胜劣汰全球化模式具有本质不同。日本地经研究所客座研究员町田穗高指出，人类命运共同体没有明确的定义，正如其名，其宗旨是“人类只有一个地球，所以人类命运休戚与共，世界各国应为全人类和平、安全、繁荣而合作”。这些观点基本上准确地把握住了人类命运共同体的科学内涵。

2. The Practical Path of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

2.人类命运共同体的实践路径。

Japanese scholars believe that building a community with a shared future for mankind is not an empty concept. International initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by the Chinese government are important vehicles and supports for building a community with a shared future for mankind. Murata Yoshiro pointed out that China, through the Belt and Road Initiative, improves infrastructure construction worldwide and promotes common prosperity in surrounding areas. In the current era of globalization, as a world version of "reform and opening up," the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative play a very important role and will become breakthroughs to break the bottlenecks of world development in the future. Kimura Tomoyoshi pointed out that China, by leading the construction of an international order based on peace, cooperation, openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes, with the principle of joint contribution and shared benefits, puts the concept of a "community with a shared future for mankind" into concrete actions. The Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation are both important ways to realize a "community with a shared future for mankind." From this perspective, Japanese academia pays great attention to the implementation and landing of the community with a shared future for mankind, and many of the views put forward have certain enlightening significance.

日本学者认为，构建人类命运共同体不是一个空洞的设想，中国政府提出的“一带一路”等国际倡议是构建人类命运共同体的重要载体和支撑。村田忠禧指出，中国通过“一带一路”在世界范围内完善基础设施建设，促进周边地区实现共同繁荣。在当今全球化时代，作为世界版的“改革开放”,人类命运共同体理念以及“一带一路”倡议发挥着非常重要作用，今后也将成为打破世界发展瓶颈的突破口。木村知义指出，中国通过主导建设和平、合作、开放、包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢，以共建共享为原则的国际秩序，让“人类命运共同体”理念落实在实际行动上。“一带一路”倡议和“南南合作”都是实现“人类命运共同体”的重要途径。由此观之，日本学界非常关注人类命运共同体的落实落地问题，由此提出的许多观点具有一定的启示意义。

3. The World Significance of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

3.构建人类命运共同体的世界意义。

Many Japanese scholars highly recognize the global significance and world value of building a community with a shared future for mankind, especially emphasizing its impact on world economic development, global governance patterns and changes in the governance system. Kato Yoshimi, a Japanese expert on China studies, pointed out that under President Xi Jinping’s strategic vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, “China has always adhered to the basic policy of opening up, pursued a mutually beneficial and win-win opening strategy, and while promoting its own development, it will also benefit the people of more countries. This policy proposition demonstrates China’s determination and responsibility for building a better world.” Ehara Noriyuki, chief economist of the Japan Institute for International Trade and Investment (ITI), wrote an article pointing out that a community with a shared future for mankind “reflects China’s posture of reforming current global governance towards a just and reasonable direction. Taking the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Hangzhou Summit of the G20[5]5 The Hangzhou Summit of the G20 leaders (2016)., and the Xiamen Summit of the BRICS countries (BRICS)[6]6 The Xiamen Summit of the BRICS countries (2017). as opportunities, it proposes to build a community with a shared future for mankind and promote the transformation of the global governance system.”

许多日本学者高度认可构建人类命运共同体的全球意义和世界价值，尤其强调对世界经济发展、全球治理格局和治理体系变革的意义。日本中国问题研究专家加藤佳美指出，在习近平主席人类命运共同体战略构想指导下，“中国始终坚持对外开放基本政策，奉行互利共赢的开放战略，在推动实现自身发展的同时也将惠及更多其他国家的人民。这一政策主张展现出中国对建设美好世界的决心和责任担当。”日本国际贸易投资研究所(ITI)首席经济学家江原规由撰文指出，人类命运共同体“反映了中国将当前的全球治理向公正合理的方向改革的姿态，以实施‘一带一路’、创办亚洲基础设施投资银行(亚投行)、二十国集团(G20)领导人杭州会议、新兴5国(金砖国家)厦门会议等为契机，提出构建人类命运共同体，促进全球治理体系变革”。

III. Main Characteristics of the Research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Japanese Academia

三、日本学界习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究的主要特点

Currently, the research on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Japanese academia has formed some distinct characteristics:

目前，日本学界习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究形成了一定的鲜明特点：

First, from the perspective of research content, Japanese scholars pay relatively more attention to the policy propositions of the Communist Party of China in the New Era, international relations strategies, the collective leadership system of the CPC, and especially to China’s economic development under Xi Jinping’s leadership, Sino-US relations, Sino-Japanese relations, etc. Overall, their analysis and interpretation of the theoretical system of Xi Jinping Thought itself is relatively weak.

一是从研究内容来看，日本学者比较关注新时代中国共产党的政策主张、国际关系对策、中国共产党集体领导体制等内容，特别是关注习近平领导下中国经济发展、中美关系、中日关系等，总体上对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想理论体系本身的分析和解读相对较弱。

Second, from the perspective of research stance, most Japanese scholars adopt an objective and fair position in conducting research on Xi Jinping Thought and related issues. Masao Maruyama[1]1 Masao Maruyama (1914–1996): a prominent Japanese political scientist and historian of political thought., on his self-founded website “21st Century Japan and International Society,” devoted himself to expounding his own views and translating Chinese official views and the views of well-known scholars for evidence. Scholars such as Professor Emeritus Hiroshi Onishi of Keio University, Associate Professor Takashi Suzuki of Aichi Prefectural University, China research expert Toshiya Tsugami, and Professor Tomoki Kamo of Keio University have long engaged in research on the CPC and Xi Jinping Thought, and have published objective and fair academic papers domestically. Former Japanese Prime Ministers Yukio Hatoyama[2]2 Yukio Hatoyama: Prime Minister of Japan from 2009 to 2010. and Yasuo Fukuda[3]3 Yasuo Fukuda: Prime Minister of Japan from 2007 to 2008. have highly affirmed the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and the Belt and Road Initiative. Yukio Hatoyama pointed out that every country should achieve modernization in a way that suits its own national conditions, and it is wrong to force other countries to adopt the same development model as oneself. China’s emphasis on “Chinese-path modernization” is commendable.

二是从研究立场上看，日本学者大多立足于客观公正立场，对习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想等问题开展相关研究。丸山真男在自己创办的“21世纪的日本与国际社会”网站上致力于阐释自己的观点并翻译中国官方观点、知名学者的观点加以论证，庆应义塾大学名誉教授大西广、爱知县立大学副教授铃木隆、中国问题研究专家津上俊哉、庆应义塾大学教授加茂具树等学者长期致力于中国共产党、习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想方面的研究，并在国内公开发表立场客观公正的学术论文。日本前首相鸠山由纪夫、福田康夫对构建人类命运共同体、“一带一路”等予以高度肯定。鸠山由纪夫指出，每个国家都应该以符合本国国情的方式实现现代化，强迫其他国家采取与自己一样的发展方式是不对的，中国强调“中国式现代化”是值得称赞的。

Third, from the perspective of researchers, there is a relatively large group of Japanese native scholars who study Xi Jinping Thought, with considerable social influence. The participation of Chinese and Chinese-diaspora scholars in Japan is relatively low, often seen in the graduation theses of some Chinese international students. However, among Japanese native scholars, a considerable number have backgrounds of living, studying, or working in China, and can be called “zhihua Japanese scholars”[4]4 zhihua Japanese scholars: literally “Japanese scholars who know China”; refers to Japanese scholars with deep knowledge of China often gained through residence or study in China., and they have strong influence on Japanese society. For example, Professor Endo Sakae of Tokyo University of Social Welfare (born in China, returned to Japan at age 12, currently a visiting professor at several Chinese universities); Professor Tomoki Kamo of Keio University (once studied in China, formerly a full-time investigator at the Consulate General in Hong Kong); Vice Chief of the Foreign News Department of Sankei Shimbun, Akio Yabuki (born in Tianjin, part-time lecturer at Nankai University); modern China research expert Toshiya Tsugami (formerly Economic Counselor in the Japan Embassy to China, Section Chief of Northeast Asia Division of the Trade Policy Bureau), etc.

三是从研究人员上看，日本本土学者研究习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的群体较大、社会影响力较大，在日华人华裔学者的参与度较低，常见于一些中国留学生的毕业论文等。但是，在日本本土学者中，有相当一部分学者有在中国生活、学习或工作的背景，可以称之为“知华日本学者”,对日本社会具有较强影响力。比如，东京福祉大学教授远藤誉(出生于中国，12岁回日本，现在是中国多家大学的客座教授)、庆应义塾大学教授加茂具树(曾留学中国、曾任香港总领事馆专职调查员)、产经新闻外信部次长矢板明夫(出生于天津，南开大学兼职讲师)、现代中国研究专家津上俊哉(曾是日本驻中国大使馆经济部参事官、通商政策局东北亚科科长)等等。

Fourth, from the perspective of research institutions, in addition to universities, a considerable number of Japanese government and corporate think tanks also pay close attention to theories related to Xi Jinping Thought. Institutions such as the Japan Institute of International Affairs, the Japan Management Association, the China Research Society of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the National Institute for Basic Issues, and the Institute of Developing Economies are more concerned with China’s economic policies, foreign policies, etc., serving Japan’s domestic politics and economy, especially providing policy consultation for Japanese enterprises in their trade with China.

四是从研究机构来看，除了高校之外，日本有相当多的政府、企业智库机构也高度关注习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想相关理论。日本国际问题研究所、日本经营合理化协会、国际研究开发法人科学技术振兴机构——中国研究会、国家基本问题研究所、亚洲经济研究所等，这些机构更关注的是中国经济政策、外交政策等方面，为日本国内政治经济服务，特别是为日本企业开展对华贸易提供政策咨询。

Currently, overseas research on Xi Jinping Thought has become a growing trend. The “gaze” of Japanese academia provides us with a unique perspective and demonstrates the tremendous international influence, appeal, and shaping power of Xi Jinping Thought. Comprehensively tracking and sorting out the overseas research status of Xi Jinping Thought, and promoting the construction of a more effective international communication system for Xi Jinping Thought, is a long-term and arduous task. It requires us to gather forces from all sides, deepen reform and innovation in the international communication mechanisms of mainstream media, strengthen the layout of international academic fronts, actively build international propaganda and interpretation platforms, expand international people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, accelerate the construction of a multi-channel, three-dimensional pattern of external communication, promote the reconstruction of the international communication landscape, accelerate the building of Chinese discourse and Chinese narrative systems, systematically study and judge the international public opinion ecology from a political, overall, and strategic perspective, dynamically track international academic development trends, analyze the direction of international public opinion dissemination, keep up with international public expectations, continuously gather wisdom from all sides, and complete the strategic task of telling the stories of China, the Communist Party of China, and Chinese-path modernization to the outside world with high quality.

当前，海外习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究已经蔚然成风，日本学界的“目光”为我们提供了独特的视角，彰显了习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的巨大国际影响力、感召力和塑造力。全面跟踪和梳理习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的海外研究状况，推进构建更有效的习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想国际传播体系，是一项任重而道远的事业，需要我们汇聚各方力量，深化主流媒体国际传播机制改革创新，加强国际学术阵地布局，积极构建国际宣传阐释平台，扩大国际人文交流合作，加快构建多渠道、立体式对外传播格局，推进国际传播格局重构，加快构建中国话语和中国叙事体系，从政治上、全局上、战略上系统研判国际舆论生态，动态跟进国际学术发展动态、分析国际舆论传播走向、紧跟国际民众期待，不断凝聚各方智慧，高质量完成对外讲好中国故事、中国共产党故事、中国式现代化故事的战略任务。

(Funds: General Project of the Scientific Research Plan of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, “A Multiple Logic Study on the CPC’s Promotion of ‘Red Publishing’ Going Global in the New Era” (Project No. SM202310015010); Key Project of the 2025 Xi Jinping Thought Research and Interpretation Project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, “Study on the International Communication and World Influence, Appeal, and Shaping Power of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (Project No. 2025XYZD10); Phased results of the Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, “Study on the Overseas Communication of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era” (Project No. 2021MYYA01))

（基金：北京市教委科研计划一般项目“新时代中国共产党推进红色出版走出去的多重逻辑研究”(项目编号:SM202310015010);中国社会科学院习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究阐释工程2025年度重点项目“习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的国际传播和世界影响力、感召力、塑造力研究”(项目编号:2025XYZD10);中国社会科学院创新工程项目“习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想的海外传播研究”(项目编号:2021MYYA01)的阶段性成果）

(Authors: Zhuo Mingliang, School of Marxism, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences / Institute of Marxism, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Zhou Yaru, School of Marxism, Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication)

（作者：禚明亮，中国社会科学院大学马克思主义学院、中国社会科学院马克思主义研究院；周亚茹，北京印刷学院马克思主义学院）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心