In Japan, the research on Zhou Enlai has a long history and so far it has lasted for more than half a century. In recent 30 years, with respect to this study, there has been no tendency of playing down or weakening in Japan, and the deideologization phenomenon is obvious in the research which can be carried out in a relatively objective perspective. The research subject has realized the “supersession of the old by the new”. The traditional research institutions and academic groups can not be ignored. There are many university research achievements in the past with profound Chinese research traditions. In the study of Zhou Enlai in Japan, Chinese researchers who travel to Japan come to the fore. The research has the characteristics of openness, and the tradition of attaching importance to foreign research achievements and historical data remains strong. Besides, it focuses on empirical studies and is good at tracing historical details. There are mainly three research hotspots: Zhou Enlai’s study in Japan, Zhou Enlai and the Xi’ an Incident, and Zhou Enlai’ s diplomatic contribution based on Japan-China diplomacy. However, a few right-wing scholars are still unable to move beyond the shackles of ideology, and there is a serious trend of fragmentation in the research.