Architectural diplomacy: a historical review of the Japan-China Society of Architecture and Building Technology

By tracing the historical activities of the Japan-China Society of Architecture and Building Technology (JCSABT, 1973–2003), which was established in Japan in 1973, this study firstly provides an overview of the friendly exchange groups visiting China from Japan over a 30-year period. Drawing upon a systematic review of Nichi-Chu Kenchiku [Japan – China Architecture], the official journal of JCSABT, this study delineates the evolving professional concerns and focal themes of Japanese architects engaged in China. The focus gradually shifted from early concerns with the construction of socialist China to an interest in cultural heritage, particularly Chinese vernacular architecture, and later to friendly visits and international exchanges. These shifts reflect the dynamic interplay between political context, architectural evolution, and cultural exchange. The study concludes that beneath the surface of “friendly diplomacy,” China and Japan each pursued distinct agendas. China seeks to learn advanced techniques from Japan, while Japan, faced with pressing issues such as widening urban-rural disparities and environmental crises, endeavours to learn from China’s urban and rural development models. Above all,“architectural diplomacy” played a crucial role in fostering Sino – Japanese friendship. The interplay among state power, architecture, and socioeconomic forces collectively contributed to strengthening bilateral relations in Cold War era.