World history has always been shaped by great powers and by nations that wield considerable power and influence in the International world. Since the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the United States arguably emerged as the only world great power. In recent times Japan and China have also emerged as great powers in Asia after their meteoric rise post World War II, ending USA’s status as the sole great power of the world. The relationships and interactions between great powers are therefore extremely important in today’s globalized world where decisions taken by powerful nations such as China, Japan or USA can have dire consequences for the world as a whole.

It is under these circumstances that Dr Pete Scheneller, Professor of Education Studies from University of Mount Union College, Ohio, USA lectured to 2nd year BA (HEP) students on the subject of Japanese-American relations on June 29, 2017. Japan’s close relations with America after World War II were looked at from different perspectives, from the cultural similarities between the two countries to their extensive trade connections. This was then followed by a brief overview of the different thought processes of people from the Western and the Eastern hemispheres of the globe. Finally, Dr Pete concluded his lecture by showing us numerous photos of Japan’s famous once war-torn city Hiroshima as well pictures of Japan’s more developed cities.

Dr Pete’s lecture was insightful and engaging as it elaborated on important aspects of Japanese-American relations that are often ignored by the mainstream media. This included an analysis as to how ‘Easterners’ view the world compared with how ‘Westerners’ view the world, and consequently how they make decisions. Dr Pete ended the lecture by expressing his desire for peace and harmony in the world, a goal that we must all strive to realize.