The first Japanese translation of Edward W. Said's Orientalism appeared in 1986. The theory of Orientalism, once brought into the East Asian context, becomes more complicated. There is no doubt that Japan is geographically situated in the Orient, but, in a political sense, it has tried to become a "Western" nation. Thus, the country has characteristics of both the Orient and the Occident. What does Japanese Orientalism ask in return? How does the discussion of Japanese Orientalism contribute to the general theory? This article offers an analysis of, and perspectives on, the impact of Said's work on Japanese intellectuals. I. The Japanese Reception of Said
