Challenging Nuclear Pacifism in Japan: Hiroshima's Anti-nuclear Social Movements

The Japanese government is increasing its defense spending and acquiring the ability to "counterattack" enemy bases abroad, which is a departure from the country's postwar consensus on pacifism. Yuasa's book explores the events of postwar Japan and how they challenged public sentiment, focusing on Hiroshima's local nuclear politics and popular consciousness about pacifism. The book argues that the current political crossroad of Hiroshima and Japan is shaped by three paradoxically coexisting and competing pacifist imaginaries, but the Fukushima nuclear disaster and a newly invented "proactive pacifism" have destabilized them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Japanese government has recently announced a significant increase in its defense spending, indicating a departure from the nation's postwar consensus of pacifism. This decision has raised questions about Japan's commitment to its pacifist ideals, particularly in light of its historical role in Hiroshima and the atomic bombings. In his book, Yuasa explores the events of postwar Japan and how they catalyzed challenges to public sentiment regarding pacifism.

The Constitution of Japan prohibits the use of force to settle international disputes and renounces war. The prime minister, Fumio Kishida, whose constituency is Hiroshima, the atomic-bombed city symbolizing Japan's postwar pacifism, has been at the forefront of this radical shift. The book focuses on Hiroshima's local nuclear politics and popular consciousness about pacifism.

Through the use of published and unpublished local documents and participant observation, Yuasa describes how postwar global and national power has formulated local politics. He also discusses the impact of local struggles on national and global politics, highlighting the concept of "imaginary" as a key factor. Institutionalized imaginary effectively channels people's suppressed desires and emotions into coordinated action in society.

The current political crossroad of Hiroshima and Japan is interpreted as a terrain constructed over the last half century by three paradoxically coexisting and competing pacifist imaginaries: constitutional, anti-nuclear, and nuclear pacifism. However, these imaginaries were significantly destabilized by the Fukushima nuclear disaster and a newly invented "proactive pacifism."

This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in Japanese postwar history and nuclear issues in general. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex dynamics shaping Japan's pacifist stance and its challenges in the contemporary world.

Weight: 644g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367541996