I proceed to elaborate on the main three themes which are closely related to each other and have relevance to today's world situation. # 1. For internationalizing of cultural studies, a revaluation of the 20th century Japanese cultural history from the standpoint of international relations, coupled with proper reflection on the hitherto neglected cultural problems associated with the invasion of Asia. # 2. The great bounds made by science and technology while bringing about change in ways of life and inspiring future dreams, are evoking fear and doubt as well. I find today's situations very similar to what it was in Japan in 1910's. In this age, the trend of philosophy and art toward vitalism whirled vigorously, in the socalled ""Taishō-vitalism"", which was greatly influenced by the patterns of thought prevalent in Europe at the turn of the century. For historical relativization of today's thought, it is necessary to examine ""Taisho-vitalism"" and its results. # 3. There is a need for the critical rewriting of literary history. Both terms ""literature"" and ""literary history"" have sprung up alongside with the development of state nationalism during the 19th century in Western Europe. The established Japan's literary history has never considered the concept of ""bungaku"" and ""bungakushi"". And within it, the ambiguous terms of ""jun-bungaku (pure literature)"" exemplified by ""watakushi shōsetsu (autobiographical novel)"", and ""taishū-bungaku (mass literature)"" are conventionally used unrelated to artistic valuation. They are not analytical concepts; they should be relativized as historical concepts. We are approaching a time for the reestimation of modern literature according to aesthetic values; a time to construct a new literary history centering on literary works themselves, especially on their ways of expression.
Sadami SUZUKI (Sat,) studied this question.