Mobilizing Japanese Youth: The Cold War and the Making of the Sixties Generation

In Mobilizing Japanese Youth, Christopher Gerteis explores how non-state institutions shaped the political consciousness of Japan's first postwar generation, exacerbating social and political alienation. A transnational flow of ideas and people influenced Japanese youth, leading to extreme ideologies like pan-Asianism, Mao-ism, black nationalism, anti-imperialism, anticommunism, neo-fascism, and ultra-nationalism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Cornell University Press

In his insightful book, Mobilizing Japanese Youth, Christopher Gerteis delves into the intricate dynamics of non-state institutions in Japan, specifically examining the efforts of left-wing radicals and right-wing activists to shape the political consciousness of the nation's first postwar generation. By the late 1960s, this generation had become the dominant demographic among voting-age adults, and their political attitudes and behaviors had significant implications for Japanese society.

Gerteis argues that the social constructs of class and gender played a crucial role in configuring the political rhetoric and social organization employed by both the far-right and far-left to mobilize postwar Japan. These constructs further exacerbated the levels of social and political alienation experienced by young blue- and pink-collar working men and women, as exemplified by high-profile acts of political violence committed by young Japanese during this era.

As Gerteis meticulously explores, Japanese youth were profoundly influenced by a transnational flow of ideas and people that marked a unique historical convergence of various ideologies, including pan-Asianism, Mao-ism, black nationalism, anti-imperialism, anticommunism, neo-fascism, and ultra-nationalism. This convergence shaped their perspectives and ideologies, leading to the emergence of new forms of political activism and resistance.

Mobilizing Japanese Youth offers a comprehensive analysis of the formative experiences of Japanese youth and the social, cultural, and political challenges they faced. By focusing on the strategies employed by far-right and far-left organizations to reach out to young radicals, especially those from working-class backgrounds, the book provides a fresh perspective on successive waves of youth radicalism since 1960.

Through his meticulous research and engaging narrative, Gerteis sheds light on the complex interplay between non-state institutions, social constructs, and political ideologies in shaping the political consciousness of Japanese youth. This book is a valuable contribution to the study of Japanese politics, history, and society, offering insights into the ongoing struggles and transformations of Japanese youth and their role in shaping the nation's future.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 161 x 236 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501756313