Journal of International Cooperation Studies, Vol.19, No.1（2011.7） 1 Why Are the Issues of“Historical Perceptions” between Japan and South Korea Persisting? i KIMURA Kan ＊ Introduction It has been 65 years since the surrender of Japan brought World War II to a close. The countries of Northeast Asia are now experiencing a wide range of debates on the ways history is perceived. The debates originally started with Japan’ s actions in the modern era, but they have expanded to include discussions on ancient relations among East Asian countries, including the ones between Korea and Japan. Why are such historical debates emerging in this region? In search of the answer, it must be realized primarily that the arguments of today are not about history itself but are concerned with“the perceptions of history.”Before discussing this subject, three points should be borne in mind. First, there are differences between“the past,” “history,”and“the perception of history.”The past, needless to say, is the period of time that existed in the opposite direction of the future, against the flow of time. It is also evident that the past consists of an infinite number of facts that could be endlessly divided and dissected. Of course, as long as the past remains the past, it is impossible to change what has occurred. Nevertheless, if narratives about the past change from time to time, it means that it is not the past but something about the present that has been modified. As properly pointed out by Max Weber, who is considered to be the founder of modern sociology, history is a unique constellation of facts assembled from the infinite material provided by the past and selected intentionally or unconsciously by individuals or members of a particular group based on their values or perspectives. In other words, history under this concept is hugely influenced by the choices of certain individuals or groups seeking to describe history as more than just a collection of facts from the past. ＊Professor, Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University.