"By the time of Japan's surrender in 1945, an entire generation had
grown up knowing nothing but conflict; but the transformation of Japan
into a militarist power began decades earlier, with the toppling of the
old samurai regime, and the rush of the formerly isolated nation onto
the world stage."
Japan at War in the Pacific recounts the dramatic story of Japan's
transformation from a Samurai-led feudal society to a modern
military-industrial empire in the space of a few decades--and the many
wars it fought along the way. These culminated in an attempt by Japan's
military leaders to create an Asia-Pacific empire which at its greatest
extent rivaled the British Empire in scope and power.
The battle for supremacy in the Pacific brought the Japanese to great
heights but led ultimately to the nation's utter devastation at the end
of World War II, culminating with the dropping of atomic bombs on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki--the only time such weapons have been used in
warfare.
In this book, author Jonathan Clements offers fascinating insights
into:
-
The wars that Japan fought during its rise to supremacy in the western
Pacific, including the Russo-Japanese War, the seizure of Manchuria
and war in China, and the Pacific theater of World War II.
-
The many military actions undertaken by Imperial Japanese forces
including the horrific "Rape of Nanjing," the surprise attack on Pearl
Harbor, the decisive defeat at the Battle of Midway, the savage
Battles of Okinawa and Iwo Jima, and many more.
-
The motivations and beliefs of Japan's leaders, as well as the policy
decisions of a government dedicated to expansion which ultimately led
to a complete dismantling of the nation's political and social order
during the Allied Occupation.
With over 75 photographs and maps, this book vividly recounts the brutal
story of Japan's military conquests. Clements charts the evolution of
the Japanese empire in the Pacific and the influence of a ruthless
military-led government on everything from culture and food to fashion
and education--including the anthems and rallying calls of a martial
nation which were silenced long ago but continue to echo in Asian
politics.
