Sengo, Japan’s Postwar

Presentation

In Japan, the Second World War and the American occupation continue to hold relevance today. From deep conviction to instrumentalized memory, the way in which the history of the 1940s is interpreted still determines numerous positions in the Japanese political and cultural landscape, whether with regard to the constitutional reform, relations with China and the United States or commemorating the nation’s heroes. In this sense, and perhaps more so than elsewhere in the world, postwar Japan remains a reality of the present. This book offers a precise and structured examination of the various ways of relating to the war. To highlight the scope and complexity of this subject, numerous fields are explored, including politics, education, the environment, the arts and literature. The contributions to this book were written by some of the leading experts on modern and contemporary Japan. The annexes present and translate several key historical texts, such as the imperial statement of 15 August 1945 and the United States Strategic Bombing Survey.

Editors

Michael Lucken is a historian and professor at Inalco, and is the director of the Centre for Japanese Studies (CEJ).

Anne Bayard-Sakai, professor at Inalco, is a specialist in literature. She has translated numerous modern and contemporary authors, including Enchi Fumiko, Tanizaki Jun.ichirō, Ōe Kenzaburō et Kaikō Ken.

Emmanuel Lozerand is a professor at Inalco and the deputy head of the CEJ. 

466 pages
16 x 24 cm
Publication: 26/09/2017
ISBN: 9782858312467