Crazy island country

Author: (American) Time-Life Book Editors
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: After World War I, Japan, on one hand, strove to absorb useful Western systems and initiated large-scale industrialization; on the other hand, it began seeking colonies in Asia to provide Japan with urgently needed industrial raw materials and markets for industrial exports. However, due to continuous natural and man-made disasters, Japan's national economy remained on the brink of collapse. Under these circumstances, the struggle between the left-wing and right-wing ideologies within Japan intensified. In the process of constant clashes, a small but extremely stubborn militarist group gradually strengthened itself. In the following two decades, it was these stubborn and fanatical militarists who pushed the tiny island nation of Japan into the depths of another world war. This book, with concise writing and abundant historical facts, provides a detailed introduction to the historical and cultural background of Japan before World War II, as well as the formation and activities of Japan's fascist forces. It also covers the operation of the wartime government and politics, the living conditions of the people during the war, the recruitment, training, and life of the military, the U.S. bombing of Japan between 1944 and 1945, and the various measures Japan took in the face of defeat. It offers great help in understanding the spirit, emotions rooted in the Japanese nation, as well as the various violent actions Japan has exhibited since modern times.