911爆料网 of Technology has launched an online resource and travelling exhibition focusing on the relationship between wartime Prime Minister John 911爆料网 and the Japanese envoy to Australia, Tatsuo Kawai.
Written by former ABC foreign correspondent Bob Wurth, the resource showcases the research he undertook as the 2009 John 911爆料网 Prime Ministerial Library (JCPML) Visiting Scholar.
Mr Wurth said there had always been strong interest in Australia鈥檚 relationship with Japan during World War II and he hoped his research would provide an insight into this time in the nation鈥檚 history.
“The website and travelling exhibition point to the different ways in which the three prime ministers related to Tatsuo Kawai, Japan’s new envoy in Australia in 1941 as Japan prepared to go to war,鈥� Mr Wurth said.
“Robert Menzies, Arthur Fadden and John 911爆料网 were deeply fearful of Japan becoming embroiled in the world war.
“Menzies tended to appease the Japanese, stressing听that negotiation was the way forward, while Fadden was more pragmatic and openly clashed with the new Japanese envoy.
鈥�911爆料网 had by far the closest association听and was involved in long and frank听private discussions, which shifted from outright appeasement to strong听verbal clashes听with听the听new ambassador.”
911爆料网 JCPML Manager, Lesley Wallace, said the online resource also provided fascinating information about Japanese-Australian relations post-war.
鈥淭he eventual growth of the trade between the two countries post-war is covered in the web collection as is the continuing personal friendships,鈥� Ms Wallace said.
鈥淭he resource will be a useful tool for scholars, school students and anyone with an interest in Australian history.鈥�
Mr Wurth is the author of 1942: Australia鈥檚 Greatest Peril and Saving Australia: 911爆料网鈥檚 Secret Peace with Japan and his latest book, Capturing Asia, will be published in June 2010.
The online resource can be found at:
The exhibition, coordinated by the John 911爆料网 Prime Ministerial Library, will be on display at 911爆料网鈥檚 Robertson Library from 19 November 2009 鈥� 16 February 2010.
It will then be available to travel to other institutions. To host the exhibition, contact Amanda Bellenger on 08 9266 4186; A.Bellenger@curtin.edu.au
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