7/25/2019 Tutorial 7 Answers

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1. The period from 1900 to 1945 was one of great change in Japan. The period is often

portrayed as an inevitable march to war. However, for decades individuals and

groups expressed their unique opinions or challenged the state through various

methods. What do you consider the two most significant ways people challenged the

state or otherwise showed their individuality during this time?a) Ebrey, Pg471: Japanese intellectuals risked their careers and status to express their

liberal views to the public. For instance, Yoshino Sakuzou had to resign his position at

Tokyo University due to his argument that the people are the basis of the state and the

aim of the state is to promote their well-being. In that context, the government held that

he was being disrespectful to the emperor, thereby he was forced to resign.

b) Ebrey, Pg472: Riots were held by many groups to protest their own rights. For instance,

rice riots were initially organized by the fishermans wives to protest high rices, degrading

work conditions and governmental ineptitude. Out of them grew the mass movements for

burakumin (outcast) liberation and labor organization.

2. Based on the readings, what do you think were the two most important moments

leading to Japans involvement in WWII?

a) Jones, p78: League of Nations refused to recognise Manchukuo as an independent state

and its Lytton Report called for Japan to withdraw its forces from Manchuria. The

condemnation of the League has caused many Japanese to feel vindicated in their

beliefs that the Western powers were fundamentally racist against Japan and Asia more

widely. As a result, Japan became increasingly isolated from the international community

and hence increasingly reliant on its own military power.

b) Jones, p81: President Roosevelt in America imposed an oil embargo on Japan unless itretreated from China. As a result, General Tojo Hideki decided to launch a new offensive

into Southeast Asia against the British and Dutch territories and also to make a definitive

strike against the American Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbour.

3. What were the two greatest challenges facing Japan following its surrender after

WWII?

a) Jones, p85: The conditions of total war had reduced much of Japan to extreme poverty

and even starvation; air-raids and fire-bombings made the major cities almost

uninhabitable.

b) Dower, p44: Japan had fallen to the status of a fourth-rate nation. Everyone in the

nation was shattered and in despair of the crushing defeat of Japan to America.