This book presents a translated and annotated version of the Honjō Diary, written by General Honjō Shigeru, the chief aide-de-camp to Emperor Hirohito. Covering the years 1933 to 1936, the diary provides firsthand insight into political, military, and court affairs during a turbulent period in Japan’s prewar history. Mikiso Hane offers contextual analysis to help readers understand the empe…
Postwar Japan: 1945 to the Present is an anthology that chronicles Japan’s political, social, and economic transformations in the aftermath of World War II. Edited by Jon Livingston, Joe Moore, and Felicia Oldfather, the volume collects essays, primary sources, and commentary from scholars to provide a comprehensive view of Japan’s reconstruction under Allied occupation, its democratization…
a concise and accessible account of Japan’s development from the Meiji Restoration (1868) to the post–World War II era. The book covers key political, economic, and social changes, including industrialization, modernization of institutions, rise of imperialism, militarism, and Japan’s transformation into a modern state. Yasuoka also discusses the impact of war, especially World War II, an…
A detailed historical analysis of the United States’ decision to deploy atomic weapons against Japan in August 1945. Feis examines the strategic, political, and military factors that led to this unprecedented action, exploring alternatives such as a conventional invasion, coercion through diplomatic inducement, and the shock of the atomic bomb itself.
Nineteenth-century English traveler, writer, and natural historian Isabella Bird contributes this stunning narrative to the genre of early travelogues about Japan. The volume Unbeaten Tracks in Japan includes a series of essays recounting Bird's months-long sojourn in the Far East. Already a treat for fans of 19th century travel literature, the book is rendered all the more unique by virtue of …
A detailed narrative of the political, military, and scientific decision-making that led to the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and thousands of documents, including previously unpublished material, Kurzman reconstructs the key moments and personalities behind the Manhattan Project and the U.S. leadership’s debate over using the bomb.
An analytical study of the development, structure, and political dynamics of the communist movement in Japan from its origins in the early 20th century through its postwar transformations. Langer examines the ideological foundations of Japanese communism, the formation and evolution of the Japan Communist Party (JCP), and the movement’s relationship with labor unions, intellectual groups, and…
The Modern History of Japan by W. G. Beasley provides a comprehensive overview of Japan’s political, social, and economic transformation from the late Tokugawa era to the modern period. The book examines the fall of the shogunate, the Meiji Restoration, Japan’s rapid modernization, and the emergence of the nation as a major world power. Beasley analyzes key historical developments, includin…
An accessible and candid insight into the realities of Japanese society, culture, and national character. Kawasaki explains how historical experiences, social structures, traditions, and group-centered values shape everyday life in Japan. The book highlights key themes such as work ethic, social discipline, modernization, and the tension between tradition and change. Through clear observations …
This book provides a concise historical overview of Japan’s transformation from the late Tokugawa period to the post–World War II era. Richard Storry examines the fall of the shogunate, the reforms and modernization of the Meiji Restoration, and Japan’s emergence as an imperial power. The narrative highlights key political, social, and military developments, including Japan’s expansion …