âCombining sensitivities to Japanese culture and psyche with clinical analysis of its international relations, Barber has written an ambitious, intriguing and interesting book about Japanâs relations with âMuslim Asia,â a geographical concept employed to cover not only West Asia but also Southeast Asia and Central Asia. To cover Tokyoâs perception and policy towards such a vast stretch of space is ambitious, but that academic ambition is matched by his linguistic skills to dig deeply into Japanese sources to reveal the intricacies and nuances of debate among policy makers, businessmen and academics there. Barber offers an opportunity to reconsider Japanâs policy towards Muslims and their countries, and he insists on the importance of Islam in Japanâs relations with Muslim Asia. To back up his argument, the author discusses a number of specific cases of diplomatic importance. This discussion makes a fascinating reading of Japanâs policy towards