Japan in Upheaval: The Origins, Dynamics and Political Outcome of the 1960 Anti-US Treaty Protests

This book explores the 1960 protests in Japan against renewing the US-Japan Security Treaty, highlighting the scale of the protests and their impact on society. It resulted in the cancellation of President Eisenhower's state visit and Prime Minister Kishim's removal from office, leading to subtle lasting changes in Japan. The events are analyzed in terms of social movement dynamics, with comparative references to the Western European protests of 1968.

Format: Hardback
Length: 218 pages
Publication date: 22 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the significant protests that erupted in Japan in 1960, opposing the renewal of the US-Japan Security Treaty. It meticulously examines the widespread demonstrations, which reached a peak with hundreds of thousands of protestors encircling Japan's National Diet building on a daily basis, as well as large-scale protests occurring in various cities and towns across the country. The book explores the outcomes of these protests, including the cancellation of President Eisenhower's state visit and Prime Minister Kishis's removal from office. Despite the apparent failure to prevent the renewal of the Security Treaty and the continued dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party, the protests had a profound and lasting impact on Japan. They exposed latent societal and political tensions, forcing the ruling establishment to reassess its policies and priorities. The protests compelled the ruling elite to embrace non-militarization and to prioritize the needs and voices of the people. The book analyzes the events in the context of social movement dynamics, drawing comparisons to the Western European protests of 1968. By examining these protests, the book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of political change and the power of grassroots activism in shaping society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032164625