Japan

by James L. McClain

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James L. McClain’s work, Japan: A Modern History, offers a sweeping overview of Japanese history from the start of the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 1600s to contemporary times. As a history professor at Brown University, McClain brings a scholarly yet accessible perspective to this narrative. The book meticulously details Japan's transformation from a feudal society to a modern global power.

The Meiji Restoration: A Turning Point

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 stands out as a pivotal period, not only for Japan but for global history as well. Within just a few decades, Japan managed to extricate itself from its feudal roots, making the remarkable transition into the first non-Western country to successfully adopt Western practices. This shift saw Japan industrializing rapidly, enacting a constitution inspired by Bismarck’s Germany, and asserting itself on the world stage by defeating both China and Russia, eventually taking control of Korea.

Democratic Underpinnings and Expansionist Ambitions

Despite these strides, Japan was not a democracy in the true sense of the word. The country was actually governed by the genro, or "elder statesmen," who wielded considerable influence. During World War I, Japan expanded its imperial footprint at Germany's expense and increasingly encroached upon China. However, McClain points out that the 1920s ushered in a more diverse and dynamic society, marked by the emergence of political parties, the granting of universal manhood suffrage (a significant leap from the nineteenth century when only a tiny fraction of the male population could vote), and burgeoning feminist and labor movements. The era's youth culture flourished, embodied by the iconic figures of the "modern girl" and "modern boy."

The Great Depression and Wartime Japan

The onset of the Great Depression signaled a downturn for Japan’s budding democracy and pluralism. By 1937, Japan found itself embroiled in a prolonged conflict with China. The infamous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, followed—a move that Japanese officials claimed was provoked by American economic sanctions. McClain, however, contends that Japan, during this period, was not truly a fascist state, as it lacked a single revolutionary party or a charismatic authoritarian leader at the helm.

Post-War Resurgence and Economic Transformation

Japan's narrative since the end of World War II is one of remarkable recovery and growth, evolving from devastation to emerge as a global economic powerhouse by the 1980s. Yet, the subsequent decade saw this "Japanese miracle" lose some of its luster, as economic stagnation set in during the 1990s. McClain enriches his historical account with engaging vignettes that precede each chapter, providing readers with captivating insights into each era's social and cultural milieu. His book, Japan: A Modern History, comes highly recommended for its insightful and comprehensible depiction of Japan’s complex past.

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