Modern Japan's Place in World History: From Meiji to Reiwa

This Open Access book explores key turning points in modern Japanese history, including wars, occupation, and postwar relations with China, challenging conventional views and highlighting the country's evolving role in global affairs.

Format: Hardback
Length: 211 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2023
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This Open Access book delves into the pivotal moments in modern Japanese history,spanning from the Meiji Restoration to the era of Japan-China diplomatic normalization in the 1970s and beyond. The chapters encompass a wide range of topics, including the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, the First and Second World Wars, the Manchurian Crisis, the US Occupation, postwar Japan-China relations, and the process of postwar decolonization. By exploring these historical events, readers will gain a deeper understanding of how new research by Japanese historians has challenged and revised conventional perspectives on Japan's turbulent past, once considered an enemy of the United States during the war in the Asia-Pacific and now a close ally.

The book is organized into four sections, each dedicated to a specific period of Japanese history. The first section, "The Meiji Restoration and the Making of Modern Japan," explores the transformative effects of the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, which marked Japan's transition from a feudal society to a modern nation-state. The second section, "The First Sino-Japanese War and the Emergence of Imperial Japan," examines the conflict between Japan and China in the early 20th century, which led to Japan's expansionist policies and the establishment of its empire in Asia. The third section, "The Russo-Japanese War and the Decline of Imperial Japan," explores the devastating war between Japan and Russia in 1904-1905, which marked the beginning of Japan's decline as a global power and the rise of the United States as a dominant force in the region. The fourth section, "Postwar Japan and the Globalization of History," examines Japan's postwar recovery, its involvement in World War II, and its subsequent role in shaping the global political landscape.

The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for scholars and general readers alike. Each chapter is accompanied by an extensive bibliography. The authors, who are recognized leaders in their respective fields, provide insightful analysis and perspectives on the events and issues discussed.

In conclusion, this Open Access book offers a comprehensive and up-to-date exploration of modern Japanese history, providing readers with a fresh and insightful perspective on a country that has played a significant role in shaping the world's political and economic landscape. By delving into the key turning points in Japanese history, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the country's complex and multifaceted past, and its ongoing contributions to global affairs.

Weight: 518g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789811995927
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023