The book “Viet Nam – A Perspective from Japan” is the culmination of over half a century of research and close engagement with Viet Nam by Professor Dr Furuta Motoo.
From everyday life, religious beliefs, and social norms to macro-level issues such as the country’s history of nation-building and defence, reform and renewal efforts, international integration, and its geopolitical role in the region, the book offers a panoramic view of Viet Nam through the unique lens of a foreign scholar.
Previously, Professor Furuta published several notable works on Viet Nam, three of which have been translated into Vietnamese including “Ho Chi Minh – National Liberation and Renewal” (1997), “Viet Nam in World History” (1998), and “The 1945 Famine in Viet Nam – Historical Evidence” (2005, 2011, 2016 and 2022). “Viet Nam – A Perspective from Japan” is his fourth book to be published by the Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House.
Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Ito Naoki commented that the book does not merely present Viet Nam through a one-dimensional lens but provides readers with valuable insights to understand the country in a more nuanced and multidimensional way, rooted in its historical and social context. Many Japanese readers have gained a broader understanding of Viet Nam through this work. I believe the release of this Vietnamese edition offers a meaningful opportunity for the Vietnamese people to reflect on their own country from the perspective of a Japanese scholar.
“Viet Nam – A Perspective from Japan” stands not only as a rigorously researched academic work but also as a vibrant symbol of the enduring and sincere friendship between Viet Nam and Japan.
