Author Description
In The Long Defeat, Akiko Hashimoto explores the stakes of war memory in Japan after its catastrophic defeat in World War II, showing how and why defeat has become an indelible part of national collective life, especially in recent decades. Divisive war memories lie at the root of the contentious politics surrounding Japan's pacifist constitution and remilitarization, and fuel the escalating frictions in East Asia known collectively as Japan's "history problem." Drawing on ethnography, interviews, and a wealth of popular memory data, this book identifies three preoccupations - national belonging, healing, and justice - in Japan's discourses of defeat. Hashimoto uncovers the key war memory narratives that are shaping Japan's choices - nationalism, pacifism, or reconciliation - for addressing the rising international tensions and finally overcoming its dark history.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates how the memory of defeat in World War II continues to shape Japan's national identity, political landscape, and international relations. Akiko Hashimoto, a sociologist specializing in Japanese culture, utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the enduring impact of the 1945 surrender. By examining public discourse, media, and personal narratives, she argues that the unresolved trauma of the war remains a central pillar in the ongoing debate over Japan's pacifist constitution and its role in East Asian geopolitics.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of three core memory narratives: national belonging, healing, and justice
- Examination of the "history problem" and its influence on contemporary remilitarization debates
- Qualitative data derived from ethnography and extensive interviews with Japanese citizens
Scope Limits
- The study focuses primarily on domestic Japanese perspectives rather than providing a comprehensive diplomatic history of all involved Allied nations
- The analysis does not attempt to provide a definitive resolution to the territorial or historical disputes between Japan and its neighbors
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and regional experts frequently cite this work as a critical resource for understanding the internal psychological and political mechanisms of post-war Japan. Readers often note the academic rigor and the clarity with which the author navigates complex, sensitive historical debates.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190239182
ISBN-13:
9780190239183
History
Cultural Anthropology
Group Identity
War Memory
Memory
National Characteristics Japanese
Public Policy
Asian History
Japan Studies
Nationalism
Sociology