Japan's Modern History, 1857-1937: A New Political Narrative

Description

Over the course of the period 1857 to 1937 in Japan, six distinct stages can be identified as the country moved from Shogun rule and its subsequent overthrow, from industrialisation and investment to the Meiji Constitution and then from Taishō democracy to Shōwa fascism. In this book, Junji Banno stresses the mutual relationships between each period, and to this end renames then accordingly: the age of reform; age of revolution; age of construction; age of management; age of reorganisation; and age of crisis. Following this model, the book covers eighty years of history in Japan, focusing on political history and foreign relations, with extensive material also on economic development and foreign influences on political institutions and practices. Based on extensive archival research, Japan's Modern History considers synoptically the key trends and their significance over the period of 1857 to 1937. In turn, it presents in detail fascinating information on many of the main leaders and other significant figures, with extensive quotations from their writings, letters and diaries. This book is a translation into English of a major work of scholarship by a leading historian of modern Japan, and may be considered the apex of Junji Banno's work in the field. As such, it will be of great interest to students and scholars of both Japanese history and history more broadly. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Series Editor's preface Translator’s introduction Conventions Map Introduction 1 Reform, 1857–1863 ‘Revere the Emperor, expel the foreigner’ (sonnō jōi) versus ‘support the Shōgun, open the country’ (sabaku kaikoku) Saigō Takamori and his argument for a ‘multi-party alliance’ Independent military expedition or multi-party alliance? The rise of sonnō jōi and confrontation between Satsuma and Chōshū The confused year, 1862 2 Revolution, 1863–1871 Rehabilitation of the Saigō Scheme Feudal parliament The Sat–Chō alliance Feudal parliament, or ‘overthrow the Bakufu by force’? The end of revolution Dissolution and reconstruction of the ‘Imperial Army’ 3 Construction, 1871–1880 Demanding a blueprint for ‘construction’: the inspection tour of Europe and America by the Iwakura Mission ‘Strong army’ and ‘public opinion’: the split over invading Korea and the proposal for a popularly elected assembly ‘Prosperous country’ and ‘fairness and public opinion’ Split in the Kōgi yoron faction and the successes of the fukoku Faction 4 Management, 1880–1893 Political participation by the peasantry Breakdown of the ‘prosperous country’ line and divisions in the constitutional system plan Rehabilitation of the ‘powerful military’ argument and dispute between Japan and China Promulgation of the Constitution and inauguration of the Diet 5 Reorganisation, 1894–1924 Positive policies and the foundation of the Rikken Seiyūkai The Russo–Japanese War and expectations of political reconstruction The Taishō political change Emergence of Minponshugi The ‘regular procedures of constitutional government’ (kensei no jōdō) and ‘the decade of fidelity in adversity’ (kusetsu jūnen) Confrontation between the Hara Cabinet and Minponshugi 6 Crisis, 1925–1937 Bifurcation of domestic politics and foreign policy Clear emergence of crisis and decline of parties: from the Manchurian Incident to the May 15th Incident Democracy in a vortex of crisis From ‘Crisis’ to ‘Breakdown’ Conclusion Glossary Index