Jeremy Yellen will join us to discuss his new book 'The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere' in conversation with Dr Alessio Patalano.

Yellen argues that, from 1940 to 1945, the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere epitomized two concurrent wars for Asia’s future: the first was for a new type of empire in Asia, and the second was a political war, waged by nationalist elites in the colonial capitals of Rangoon and Manila. Exploring Japanese visions for international order in the face of an ever-changing geopolitical situation, The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere explores wartime Japan’s desire to shape and control its imperial future while its colonies attempted to do the same.

Yellen is a historian of modern Japan based in Hong Kong. He holds a Ph.D. in history from Harvard University, and since 2014 has been teaching at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Jeremy’s research focuses on modern Japan’s international, diplomatic, and political history. His work largely grapples with questions of warfare, empire, diplomacy, and international order, and pair Japanese high policy during World War II with developments in the periphery of Japan’s empire.

This event is hosted by the King's Japan Programme, Centre for Grand Strategy.