Regional and country studies have developed rapidly in China, known as "area studies" in the United States. Regional studies in the United States are mainly conducted in universities. This article takes East Asian studies at the University of California, Berkeley as an example to analyze the development and rise of post-war regional studies in the United States. The Berkeley East Asian Institute was established in 1978 and has become a top center for Asian studies. Its development has gone through three stages: a shift in academic priorities from humanities to social sciences, changes in funding channels, and a shift towards regionalism, reflecting the situation of other research universities in the United States.

1、 During the period of the Old East Asian Institute (1949-1957)

Introduced the origin and development of East Asian studies at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1930, the Northeast Asia Seminar was established to study the relations between Russia, China, and Japan. In 1949, the Institute of East Asian Studies (IEAS) was established, led by Professor Woodbridge Bingham from the Department of History, with the aim of promoting research on cultural history and social issues in the Asian region, and cultivating regional research experts. The research institute has received strong support from the school, especially from the principal Robert Sproul. However, by 1955, the institute was incorporated into the Institute of International Studies and ceased operations in 1957. Its decline may be related to global political events.

2、 The establishment of the Cold War and Regional Studies Center (1957-1965)

Discussed the development of regional studies in the United States during the Cold War, particularly the establishment of regional research centers between 1957 and 1965. After the successful launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union, the US Congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA), which included Section 6 providing funding for critical language students and teachers, promoting the establishment of the Berkeley China Studies Center and the Japan Studies Center. The former East Asian Research Institute gradually declined due to the country's emphasis on social sciences and contemporary research, and turned to studying social, economic, political, and ideological issues to help the US government formulate foreign policies. The Berkeley Center for Chinese Studies (CCS) was established in 1957, with a different funding source and mission from the original East Asian Institute, focusing on the study of "Communist China". Berkeley President Clark Kerr promotes "China Studies" as an interdisciplinary research organization, and the establishment of CCS marks a new stage in Berkeley's Asian studies. In 1962, Berkeley founded the journal "Asia at a Glance" to document contemporary political and social developments in Asia, hosted by Robert Scarapino. In 1965, the Higher Education Law was passed, continuing the work of the National Defense Education Law by funding the National Resource Center, foreign language and regional research grants, and international issue research. Berkeley and Stanford University have received funding to establish a joint East Asian Countries Resource Center. From 1957 to 1965, Scarapino played a key role in Berkeley's East Asian Studies, preparing for the establishment of the East Asian Institute in 1978.

3、 The debut of the New East Asian Research Institute (1965-1978)

In the 1960s and early 1970s, private foundations played an important role in international and regional research projects, particularly the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The financial support from these foundations is crucial for cultivating research talents in the region. However, in the 1970s, there was a change in funding support from the government and private foundations, with the Nixon administration significantly reducing budgets and the Ford and Mellon foundations withdrawing from regional research, leading to a decline in Chinese research. The decrease in funding has led to a reduction in university faculty, a decrease in the number of registered graduate students, and a decrease in the number of academic seminars. The academic research on Asia in the United States is facing a new situation, and the trend of regional studies has shifted from analyzing individual countries to analyzing various regions. East Asia as a whole has become a popular analytical unit for researchers. Scarapino noticed that Berkeley lacks physical institutions for East Asian studies, the trend of regional research changes, and an increasing interest in the connections between nodes. When the funding conflict emerged, Scarapino advocated for the establishment of a new research institution, and the Berkeley school also considered coordinating the China Research Center and the Japan Research Center. The new East Asian Studies Institute plans to strengthen seminars and academic presentations, enhance the publication of academic works, and establish closer relationships with policy circles. Scarapino successfully raised over $3 million in donation funds, with the largest donation coming from the Japanese government. In the early 1980s, funding sources and strategies further developed, with donors including public welfare foundations, individuals, or companies. The relationship between East Asia and various companies has become closer.

4、 From Prosperity to Stable Development (Since the 1990s)

In the 1990s, Berkeley's East Asian Studies entered a stable development stage. After Scarapino stepped down as director, Berkeley integrated the East Asian Studies Institute, East Asian Library, and East Asian Language and Culture Department into the "Tian Changlin East Asian Studies Center". The East Asian Studies Institute has seven research centers covering regions such as China, Japan, North and South Korea, Southeast Asia, as well as a publishing department and the journal "Asia Overview". The research institute operates through a tenure system of professor committees and center directors, integrating Berkeley and East Asia Pacific related research. The publishing work is rich, including thematic works, research papers, and policy research series. As a strategic partner, the East Asia Library completed its new building in 2008 and has a rich collection of books. The East Asian Institute has a donation fund of 65 million US dollars and an annual budget of 5-6 million US dollars, of which 2 million US dollars is guaranteed. The fundraising and funding situation is complex, including state government appropriations, donations, grants, and funds. The number of students learning Japanese and Korean is increasing, while the number of Chinese students is decreasing, and the status of Taiwan research is improving. Berkeley has a good relationship with National Chengchi University in Taiwan, and the Japan Studies Center has a donation fund to encourage graduate students to study Japan.

5、 Conclusion

The development of East Asian studies at Berkeley reflects the evolution of regional studies in post-war America. After World War II, East Coast University took the lead, followed by the rise of West Coast University under the promotion of Soviet satellite launches and the National Defense Education Law. The rise and fall of regional studies are closely related to historical conditions, such as the rise of Japan and the "Four Asian Tigers", as well as the development of China and Southeast Asia. Berkeley East Asian Studies flourished in the 1980s and 1990s, with abundant publications and multilingual translations. Leading figures such as Robert Scarapino have had a significant impact on Berkeley's East Asian studies. Financial security is the lifeline of regional research, and the federal government's spending cuts and the slowdown in Japan's economic growth have an impact on financial stability. Regional studies have been influenced by domestic politics, such as McCarthyism and changes in Sino US relations, which have led to a failure to fully unleash the potential of research on China.