The 'long 1960s', beginning in the mid-1950s and continuing into the
mid-1970s, was an epoch defined by social and political upheaval and an
international scope that challenged established orders across the globe.
The period demonstrated its full disruptive and transformative potential
in both Italy and Japan. Both countries experienced an important
recovery from the traumatic destruction of the Second World War and
social disruption arising from this post-war generational change - even
while they faced challenges in coming to terms with their national pasts
and integrating into the post-war international order. These parallel
contexts produced massive social and political movements, provoking
intense reactions from established elites, and sparked pitched battles
that shook both countries to their cores.
This volume brings together eight historians from Italy and Japan to
compare and contrast the long 1960s in each country, producing a new
vision of shared history.