A History of Japan: From Stone Age to SuperpowerJapan's impact on the modern world has been enormous. It occupies just one 300th of the planet's land area, yet came to wield one sixth of the world's economic power. Just 150 years ago it was an obscure land of paddy fields and feudal despots. Within 50 years it became a major imperial power – it's so-called 'First Miracle'. After defeat in the Second World War, when Japan came close to annihilation, within 25 years it recovered remarkably to become the world's third biggest economy – it's 'Second Miracle'. It is now not only an economic superpower, but also a technological and cultural superpower. True miracles have no explanation: Japan's 'miracles' do. The nation's success lies in deeply ingrained historical values, such as a pragmatic determination to succeed. The world can learn much from Japan, and its story is told in these pages. Covering the full sweep of Japanese history, from ancient to contemporary, this book explores Japan's enormous impact on the modern world, and how vital it is to examine the past and culture of the country in order to full understand its achievements and responses. Now in its third edition, this book is usefully updated and revised. |
Contents
Japan and History | 1 |
Myths Prehistory and Ancient History to 710 | 5 |
Early and Medieval History 7101600 | 24 |
The Tokugawa Period 16001868 | 53 |
The Meiji Period 18681912 | 75 |
The Pacific War and its LeadUp | 108 |
Postwar Successes and Beyond | 142 |
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achieve Allied American Asia Asian nations attack became bomb cent century China Chinese Confucianism constitution continued court Craig 79 cultural daimyō death defeat democracy despite domains Dower early economic effect emperor example forces foreign Heian period helped Henshall Hideyoshi Hirohito Hōjō Hokkaidō Ieyasu imperial important increased industry Japan Japanese Jōmon Kojiki Kokutai no Hongi Korea Kyōto Kyūshū labour land late later leaders MacArthur 64 major Meiji period military Minamoto modern Mongol Nara nationalistic Nihon Shoki Nihonjinron Nobunaga Occupation official oligarchs Pacific War particularly Party Pearl Harbor Pearson 92 political popular population postwar practice Prefecture prewar prime minister recognised reforms Reischauer Reischauer and Craig Rescript ritsuryō samurai SCAP shōgun shōgunate superpower threat tion Tokugawa period Tōkyō troops University Press victory warrior women Yamato Yayoi Yoritomo Yoshida zaibatsu