Tanaka Kōtarō and World Law

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This book delves into the life and influence of Tanaka Kōtarō (1890-1974), a pivotal yet often overlooked political thinker of the 20th century. As Japan's foremost legal scholar and jurist, Tanaka's contributions have largely remained unrecognized outside his home country due to his writings primarily being in Japanese. His remarkable influence in Japan is highlighted by his unique distinction as the only individual to serve in all three branches of government and as the longest-serving Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Internationally, his impact was significant, including informal diplomatic efforts in Latin America before World War II and his role on the International Court of Justice during the 1960s. His notable dissent in the 1966 South-West Africa Case continues to resonate with contemporary international jurists addressing human rights. Furthermore, Tanaka presented a critical view of international law as inherently imperialistic, proposing a theory of World Law grounded in Natural Law. What sets his perspective apart is his defense of Natural Law from a Japanese viewpoint, informed by his expertise in private law rather than public law. This work aims to introduce Tanaka to a wider English-speaking audience, challenging biases regarding human rights, the universality of reason, and the intersection of law and ethics.