Japan before and after WWI and WWII

Ryan Dao
History 20
TA: Samuel Fullerton
Section 54
20 January 2015
The Pivoting Points of Japan
In spite of historical events during the twentieth century, Japan flourishes now in the twenty-first century as a modernized world power and United Nations participant. However, events after World War I and World War II might have perceived Japan as a frightening military force due to its rapid westernization and industrialization activities. Japan after World War II suffers from major losses but is able to recover and strengthen their ties with the United States after a protracted period of time. Although Japan flourishes today as a modernized nation after World War II, the period after World War I seems to be a better time for the expanding nation in terms of its industry, brute military presence, and imperial pursuits in a narrower period of time between 1919 and 1939. Because of the fighting that occurred during World War I, several European nations began to see a drop in economic performance because men were being drafted to partake in the war effort. This would help non-European countries, such as Japan and India, to prosper economically. “The economic repercussions of the war had been very differently – European countries had been damaged very badly; the young industries of Japan and India received an enormous boost” (Roberts, pg. 279). Even though Japan was not heavily involved in the fighting of World War I, they did take advantage of the economic opportunities such as sourcing their crops and weapons to European nations participating in the war. Japan’s economy began to flourish during World War I partially due to Russia since they were providing all kinds of war material (boats, uniforms, foods, bullets, and oil) to the Russians. One of the consequences of World War I is that the United States economy crashed in 1929 and that pulls all of Europe into an economic crisis. By not fighting in the war, Japan took advantage of the situation at hand and continued to expand geographically and imperially - “The successful aggrandizement of Japan – can be given a deceptively simple general explanation: no power was prepared to fight to prevent either until it was too late to avoid disaster” (Roberts, pg. 378). In comparison to modern day perceptions of the nation, Japan was a far more frightening and brutal military force during the post World War I era. Most of Japan’s military endeavors, such as the infamous Nanking Massacre, were pretty successful. This leads to their brute dominance in Southeast Asia and it gives them the mentality of being the all-prevailing, dominant Asian power. As quoted by Roberts, “resistance to European political dominance” and “the Japanese feeling strongly about joining western predators” (Roberts, pg. 210) led to Japan’s hostility towards other countries in Southeast Asia such as China, Korea, and Vietnam by subduing them with military force.
At the beginning of World War I, the Japanese government sends an ultimatum to Germany in 1914. While Japan did not partake in the war in any massive scale, they agreed to assist British powers in their war against Germany by providing limited naval assistance. In the ultimatum, Japan demands the removal of all German ships from Japanese and Chinese waters while forfeiting Tsingtao. By acquiring Tsingtao, Japan continues their hostility against other Asian nations with overwhelming fear. As economic opportunities were blooming for Japan during this time period, the decision to assist Britain in their war efforts were the result of Japan’s desire to pursue its own interest on an international scale, furthering their dominance in Southeast Asia.
Throughout the post era of both World War I and World War II, Japan’s manufacturing situation was mostly unchanged. Japan focused their energy on industry and commerce but the difference is that after World War I, a lot of their industry were military oriented; after World War II, Japan focused on consumer goods and electronics in contrast to military weapons. However, the immediate post war era that succeeded World War II was devastating for Japan as the nation suffered from severe damages and civilian death. The “fall” of Japan was partially due their refusal to surrender themselves to the United States; as a result, assaults of nuclear weapons were launched upon the nation of Japan – “At this moment two weapons of a destructive power hitherto unknown were dropped by the Americans with terrible effect on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” (Roberts, pg. 427). While Japan saw its economy blossom after World War I, the aftermath of World War II for Japan consists of massive civilian cities being destroyed, radioactive-related causalities, and the death of innocent lives. In spite of Japan’s effort to become a dominant military force in Southeast Asia during World War I, they were unable to prevent the devastating loss that had occurred in the course of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
During a radio broadcast in 1945 known as the Gyokuon-hōsō, Emperor Hirohito announces Japan’s termination of participating in the war and the surrender of the nation’s military forces. Although not having stated directly that his forces would unconditionally surrender, Emperor Hirohito announces that he has accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration in full. Having suffered immense losses during the nuclear bombings, the emperor made a wide choice in order to put a stop to any further harm Japan may have to suffer. The emperor also acknowledges the civilian causalities caused by the bombings; Hirohito seemingly prioritizes the lives of the nation’s people rather than his military pride of fighting back against the countless attacks. After the recovery of the nuclear bombings, the Japanese re-evaluates its political powers by deemphasizing feudalism and adopting more of a westernized, secular approach by having a President-like figure known as the Prime Minister; gone was the belief that the emperor was a deity on Earth. Today, Japan has changed culturally as their society has modernized itself with innovations such as bullet train transportation while strengthening their ties with the United States.
One of the difficulties of examining the post World War I period for Japan is the confusion about how long this era actually lasted. Where as we cite 1939 as the beginning of World War II, Japan’s war in the Pacific began as early in 1931 and overlapped the Great Depression, which constituted a very tough decade for other world powers that Japan, nonetheless, survived relatively unscathed. When we evaluate the post war era for most of the other world powers, we examine a two-decade period from 1919 to 1939, but Japan had a markedly short post-war World War I era for approximately twelve years. In those twelve years, they were able to achieve some astounding advances that led to the nation’s expansion on both an international and cultural scale. Japan today is arguably one of the most peaceful nations on the planet but in contrast to the post-war World War I era, Japan was noticeably more aggressive in terms of brute military force and colonization efforts. By avoiding western colonization and simultaneously industrializing while taking advantage of the Great Depression by outsourcing their resources to European nations, Japan was able to accomplish a lot based on their traditional feudal terms and was much more justifiably prideful of their nation after World I instead of World War II.

Speech Title: Japanese Ultimatum to Germany
Speech Location: Germany’s naval base in Tsingtao
Speaker Name: Japanese Prime Minister Count Okuma
Web- Link: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/tsingtau_okuma.htm
“We consider it highly important and necessary in the present situation to take measures to remove the causes of all disturbance of peace in the Far East, and to safeguard general interests as contemplated in the Agreement of Alliance between Japan and Great Britain.
In order to secure firm and enduring peace in Eastern Asia, the establishment of which is the aim of the said Agreement, the Imperial Japanese Government sincerely believes it to be its duty to give advice to the Imperial German Government to carry out the following two propositions:
(1) Withdraw immediately from Japanese and Chinese waters the German men-o '-war and armed vessels of all kinds, and to disarm at once those which cannot be withdrawn.
(2) To deliver on a date not later than September 15th, to the Imperial Japanese authorities, without condition or compensation, the entire leased territory of Kiao-chau, with a view to the eventual restoration of the same to China.
The Imperial Japanese Government announces at the same time that in the event of its not receiving, by noon on August 23rd, an answer from the Imperial German Government signifying unconditional acceptance of the above advice offered by the Imperial Japanese Government, Japan will be compelled to take such action as it may deem necessary to meet the situation.”

Speech Title: Gyokuon-hōsō (Jewel Voice Broadcast)
Speech Location: Tokyo Imperial Palace
Speaker Name: Emperor Hirohito
Web-Link: http://www.worldwarii.org/p/jewel-voice-broadcast-was-radio.html

“To our good and loyal subjects: After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in our empire today, we have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We have ordered our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that our empire accepts the provisions of their joint declaration. To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by our imperial ancestors and which we lay close to the heart.

Indeed, we declared war on America and Britain out of our sincere desire to insure Japan 's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement.

But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone--the gallant fighting of our military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of out servants of the State and the devoted service of our 100,000,000 people--the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan 's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest.

Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, it would not only result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization.

Such being the case, how are we to save the millions of our subjects, nor to atone ourselves before the hallowed spirits of our imperial ancestors? This is the reason why we have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the joint declaration of the powers.

We cannot but express the deepest sense of regret to our allied nations of East Asia, who have consistently cooperated with the Empire toward the emancipation of East Asia. The thought of those officers and men as well as others who have fallen in the fields of battle, those who died at their posts of duty, or those who met death [otherwise] and all their bereaved families, pains our heart night and day.

The welfare of the wounded and the war sufferers and of those who lost their homes and livelihood is the object of our profound solicitude. The hardships and sufferings to which our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great.

We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that we have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the [unavoidable] and suffering what is unsufferable. Having been able to save *** and maintain the structure of the Imperial State, we are always with you, our good and loyal subjects, relying upon your sincerity and integrity.

Beware most strictly of any outbursts of emotion that may engender needless complications, of any fraternal contention and strife that may create confusion, lead you astray and cause you to lose the confidence of the world.

Let the entire nation continue as one family from generation to generation, ever firm in its faith of the imperishableness of its divine land, and mindful of its heavy burden of responsibilities, and the long road before it. Unite your total strength to be devoted to the construction for the future. Cultivate the ways of rectitude, nobility of spirit, and work with resolution so that you may enhance the innate glory of the Imperial State and keep pace with the progress of the world.”

Works Cited

Roberts, J. M. The Penguin History of the Twentieth Century. Penguin USA (P), 2004. Print.

"Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)." Japanese History: Meiji Period. Japan-guide. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.

<http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html>.

Cited: Roberts, J. M. The Penguin History of the Twentieth Century. Penguin USA (P), 2004. Print. "Meiji Period (1868 - 1912)." Japanese History: Meiji Period. Japan-guide. Web. 22 Jan. 2015. <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2130.html>.