Theoretical development of the International Relations discipline has been dominated by the Western production of knowledge; however, indigenous theories have been taking a prominent opposition stance to that domination. With the aim of providing a critical review about the literature on Non-Western IR theory, we have identified and analysed the case study of indigenous theories in China and Japan. On the one hand, we conclude that the theoretical innovations produced by the Chinese IR academia challenge the western dominance and it has started to counterbalance Western hegemony. On the other hand, the theoretical evolution in Japan shows a trend of advancement when Japan plays a rising power role, but stalls in periods of accommodation wit...