"Japan on the Silk Road provides the historical background indispensable for understanding today's Japan perspectives and policies in the vast area of Eurasia. For the first time it brings a detailed account of the history of Japanese activities along the Eurasian landmass across the Middle East and Central Asia in modern history. Japanese diplomats, military officers, archaeologists, and linguists traversed the Silk Road, involving Japan in the Great Game and exploring ancient civilizations.The global team of scholars brings to light Japan's intellectual and political encounters with the peoples and cultures of this vast transnational area that includes Turks and Persians, Hindus and Muslims of India, Mongolians and the Uyghur of Inner Asia, and Muslims in China. Contributors include: Ian Nish, Christopher Szpilman, Sven Saaler, Selcuk Esenbel, Li Narangoa, Komatsu Hisao, Brij Tankha, Erdal Küçükyalcın, A. Merthan Dündar, Katayama Akio, Miyuki Aoki, Klaus Röhborn, Mehmet Ölmez, Banu Kaygusuz, Oğuz Baykara, Masako Sato"-- Provided by publisher.