著者

志摩 園子

出版者

昭和女子大学

雑誌

學苑 (ISSN:13480103)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.772, pp.89-96, 2005-02-01

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This article is the writer's attempt to examine Japanese source materials relating to the diplomatic relations between Japan and Latvia in the period between the two World Wars. This paper, the first part of my work, begins with the Japanese government's approach toward the Latvian affairs at the time of Latvia's emergence as a nation state. The Estonian struggle for independence will also be examined under the new light of sources from the Diplomatic Record Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. The most interesting materials on Latvian affairs are included in such files as "The State of Russian Affairs at the Time of the Russian Revolutions and the Wars in Europe", "Secession and Incorporation of Various Countries", "The State of Internal Affairs in Various Countries: Latvia", "The Establishment of Japanese Diplomatic Agencies Abroad" and "Riga Joho (Riga Intelligence)", etc.. These documents reveal three features which characterize the Japanese government's position toward Latvia in the period leading to its independence. First, Japan's policy toward Latvia followed that of the Great Powers. Second, the Japanese government also had an interest in Latvia's economy. Third, the Japanese had very little information , about Latvia and other Baltic States.