Japan after the Pacific War - Essay Example

Sur Modern Japan The Pacific War was indeed a major turning point for the Japanese society. The modern Japan after the Pacific War redefined Japanese culture. In the midst of such drastic change there are traditional values of the Japanese culture which remained rooted. Such values are addressed by the popular Japanese writers in preserving the Japanese values in their works, illustrating the genuine characteristics of the Japanese society amidst the struggle against the pressures of conformity. In view of the effort of the Japanese to consent a peek into their culture developed and gave birth to Japanese business novels. These materials are provided usually to business students for wider understanding of the Japanese business approach. The Japanese business novels were the perfect tool to open an understanding of how Japanese business operated. According to Prindle (1989) "[t]he stories expose the internal mechanisms of business transactions and the mentality of the people involved, making technical information accessible to a lay audience and convincing even to economists." (qtd in The Japanese Business Novel). Arai Shinya is the executive vice president of Summit Inc., and director of Sumitomo Corporation who is popular under the pen name of Satoshi Azuchi writing Japanese business novel, one of which is the popular Tales of a Shoshoman. Shinya related that the Tales of Shoshoman "begins with a story of a Japanese businessman who commits suicide Surname 2 because he failed to be promoted when his peers in his company were promoted" (qtd in The Japanese Business Novel). The novel illustrates the traditional aspects of the Japanese society and preserved these traditions by means of these types of novels. The novel reveals the values of Japanese "salary man" (The Japanese Business Novel) with high regard to his work and dedicated to his organization, with preserved value of loyalty and devotion which allows the world to have knowledge of the Japanese nature in which ways the traditional Japanese culture in business is upheld. In another novel authored by Norma Field, "In the Realm of a Dying Emperor" tells of three separate tales woven together with intentions for a greater purpose. The novel successfully pointed the struggles of Japan of its past as it faces the twentieth century in the end of war. The novel attempted to reveal a glimpse of hope to recover from injuries brought about by the imperialist rule. Each tale in the novel depicts of a true Japanese value in each character which is struggling from atrocities and Western pressure. The character of the supermarket owner burning the flag of the Rising Sun illustrated the value of braving to fight for dignity over the struggles of an Okinawan to escape the memories of the bitter past. In the review of Steve Edwards he acknowledged the research done by Field which was a strong point rather than a personal conviction which revealed that "Many Okinawans continue to feel objectionable towards the emperor system for the incidents there during World War Two The Rising Sun flag is a prime example of the rape and pillaging of countries across Asia during World War Two. These citizens also feel the flag represents a part of their history they would like to leave behind and obstructs them from completely Surname 3 whitewashing the entire issue away." (Edwards, Steve). In another tale tells the story of an ordinary woman protesting the emperor rule because of "deification" of her husband who died and enshrined "as a way to pass on the ritual of dying for the emperor" (Edwards, Steve). In this story the constitutional practices under the hybrid system is criticized. The defiant character of the ordinary woman is a typical character of the Japanese when principles are laid shaken. The final tale in the novel tells the story of the "mayor" who strongly defied against the emperor rule whose character suggested that the emperor was responsible for the atrocities during the war. In line with such grand accusations, the mayor received verbal assaults and death threats which according to Edwards, "presenting the life and death stakes that were at work in the hybrid system in Japan and evidence that it was not only the emperor, but the entire system, that was slowly dying in 1989." (Edwards, Steve). Field opened a glimmer of hope in the death of the emperor along with the hybrid system which with her wise illustration of the various supporters of the mayor through the hundreds of letters compiled in a book illustrates "as a sign that Japan was finally waking up from its period of contentment."(Edwards, Steve) and at the same time demonstrated the value of unity, dedication, and the value for dignity. All three characters showed in their own ways these intrinsic values rooted in the Japanese culture in their own struggles. The pressure for conformity in the Japanese society was vital during these times. The society is compelled to conform to the mandates of the government. The written works of Nagatsuka Takashi, The Soil: The Portrait of Rural Life in Meiji Japan, depicts of a depressed life in the rural area during the early twentieth century. The novel tells of Surname 4 the tale of a poor farmer in the midst of countless struggles during the Meiji era which inspires both humanity and mortality. In the Japanese history the Meiji era was a time when Japan embraced the Western culture which wrapped over its own. As such, the Japanese strive to conform to Western influence. In the effort to adopt the western culture, women were given more freedom during this era and their roles in society redefined giving more importance to their status. In another literary piece of conformity is a novel by Gail Bernstein entitled "Haruko's World" that tells of a story of a young woman married to the Crown Prince of Japan. Such an event in the Japanese society is indeed a modern approach. In the turn of events in the novel Haruko becomes the first non-aristocratic woman to be part of the Japanese monarchy. Her struggle to fit in the monarch family is such a miserable attempt having an Empress treat her with cruelty and suspicion and controls her. However the novel is a depiction of a modern Japan embracing a foreign culture which provided women significant roles in the society with notable worthiness. The launch of Anne Imamura's "Re-imaging Japanese Women" revealed a contemporary Japan in view of women stereotype releasing Japanese women from the bondage of domestic responsibility without such social significance. The book composed of 13 essays about modern Japanese women with significant social roles. Such is the period of women liberation from insignificant domestic roles. Imamura's book provided awareness of the newly acquired status of women in society that had a liberating effect. It demonstrated the contemporary Japanese women and Japan's social Surname 5 change as it embraces Western influence giving rights and significance to Japanese women. The post war effects have hurt the Japanese culture in view of social and legal changes which upon embracing the Western culture had disguised the traditional society that pressured the Japanese to conform to adjust to such modifications. However, in some aspects change was for a better Japanese society which included the good change in the equal gender rights. The difficult part of such an adjustment lay in the pressure to accept authority and conform to group expectations and the interpretation of Japan's past. Japan has been a striving country to liberate Asia from western imperialism lead the Asian countries away from Western domination. In such a failure have resulted to their adaptation and acceptance of the western influence penetrating their culture and prompted for social and legal changes which included the adaptation of a democratic state. As James Crowley have related "the dream of an Asian community of nations, free from Occidental political and economic domination and guided by Japanese leadership, remains unfulfilled. As Japan gains greater independence and economic power in the postwar era, one may wonder whether this aspiration may not also rise phoenix-like out of the destruction of imperial Japan." (Crowley, 263). To conclude the postwar in Japan bring us to identify important continuities between prewar and postwar Japan which was centralized in the actions as well as the motivation of the society in the turn of events. How both Americans and Japanese thought and acted were necessary factors. Patriotism and loyalty are noted values of Surname 6 the Japanese people that propose the continuity between prewar and postwar Japan essential to the growth of the country. Works Cited Edwards, Steve. "In the Realm of a Dying Emperor by Norma Field". Book Review Atomic Bomb. Retrieved May 10, 2008. http://www.danandmary.com/danand2/atomicbombsummer05edwards3.htm Crowley, James. "A New Deal For Japan and Asia: One Road to Pearl Harbor". Pp 235-263. Surname 2 Name Subject: Professor: Date: Changing Gender Roles and Opportunities in Japan The changing gender roles and opportunities in Japan has been dramatic and a lift in morale of the women in postwar Japan. From the insignificant domestic role into a wide range of opportunities for significant social status is indeed a positive consequence of a democratic Japan from the imperial rule. Modern Japan granted higher dignity and respect to Japanese women augmented their roles in the society significantly. The articles provided stroke respect for the roles of the Japanese women and inspired a dignified esteem. The change and continuity reflected in the lives of modern Japanese women in their broadened roles gained social respect and self dignity which maintains their significant responsibility of motherhood and pillar of nurture. The modern Japanese women elevated their self esteem with the wide range of opportunities provided for them. Their social status treated with respect generously giving them the freedom to express their desires and opinions socially. The legal rights accorded to them secure their status in the society of equality. In the novel Haruko's world, the rise of respect towards Japanese women is evidently depicted in view of equal rights and broadened opportunity which included the atypical association of a commoner woman with a monarch family. Such a welcome although yet vindictive as portrayed in the unkindness of the Empress towards Surname 2 controlling Haruko may be considered an embrace of modernity and acceptance of equal rights and democracy. From the 13 essays compiled in the book Anne Imamura's "Re-imaging Japanese Women" opened a new perspective of respect towards modern Japanese women for the newly acquired social status and rights. Each of the thirteen essays illustrated the stronger, well-respected, highly esteemed Japanese women in their augmented roles in society that earned them social importance. Democracy is in play from such account in modern Japan. A new position for the Japanese women other than their domestic role for the longest time is indeed liberation from suppression. Imamura's works added to the respect towards Japanese women for their published accomplishments revealing their long hidden talents in wide range of opportunities laid open for them. Imamura's works also offered awareness to the public of the significant change in the social status of women to liberate them from of their quiet appeals for freedom. Additionally, Andrew Gordon attempted to illustrate modern Japan in his book "A Modern History of Japan" which addressed women's issues through gender relations by portraying a fine narrative of Japan centuries back. From the introduction of the book, Gordon expressed, "[t]o understand this time of transformation one must first pay close attention to the political, social, and cultural order that came together in the 1600s and to the many changes of the 1700s and 1800s." (Gordon, Andrew, 1). Gordon partly provided an illustration of the roles and social relations of Japanese women through changing eras which transformed the social status of the Japanese women. The Oxford Surname 3 University Press described Gordon's book, "we see the influence of outside ideas, products, and culture on home life, labor unions, political parties, gender relations, and popular entertainment." (2005). The influence of western culture in view of gender relations gave birth to equal rights for the Japanese women which was richly described in Gordon's narrative which illustrated western pressure. Amidst the modernization and the acquired rights of Japanese women in their social status, novels that preserve the essential traditional culture of Japan in business are published for global knowledge and understanding of the traditional Japanese business culture. In view of preserving such culture, the requisite obligation to define the roles of women in the traditional culture is essential. In the event that the role of Japanese women is portrayed with freedom, the purpose of the novel is defeated. The novel by Arai Shinya "Shoshaman: A Tale of Corporate Japan" is a story which portrays the dominance of men in the business world illustrating their behavior and ideals towards work and their sincere loyalty in their organization. The significantly insignificant role of women illustrates a traditional Japanese culture. The novel intends to preserve the traditional Japanese culture in view of the corporate world where women have insignificant roles that are expected to perform domestic responsibilities but powerless to demand their desires toward their "salaryman" husbands. These "salarymen" possess intricate values of devotion and dedication in their jobs outweighing the value they give for their families and wives. Surname 4 The changes in the rights and opportunities available for Japanese women in modern Japan have little effect in the lives of Japanese men. Such insignificance has not been stressed in the readings. To begin with, the decision that gave women their liberty from the domestic roles has been a decision made by the Japanese reformist and nationalist males for purposes of acceptance in the international league of advanced nations resolved to improve the social status of Japanese women. The intent to uplift the social status of Japanese women in modern Japan as influenced by the western culture provided the Japanese women with their social rights and broader opportunities apart from their domestic responsibilities but still under limited liberty. The male are still the dominant figure in the context of gender role and authority despite the elimination attempt of women stereotype. Japanese women under the Constitution promulgated in 1946 granting "equal rights in political participation, social activities and family lifehowever, women's actual participation in political and public activities has been kept at low level due to persisting discrimination against women and institutionalized gender stereotypes of man-as-breadwinner and woman-as-caretaker." ("Violations of Women's Rights in Japan"). It is in such painful factual setting in modern Japan that Japanese women will have a difficult strive to achieve genuine equality amongst Japanese men. Some values and culture in spite of declared changes and transformations within a society remain rooted. Surname 5 Works Cited "Description". A Modern History of Japan From Tokugawa Times to the Present by Andrew Gordon. Oxford University Press. 2005. retrieved May 10, 2008. http://www.us.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/HistoryWorld/Asian/view=usa&ci=9780195110609 Gordon, Andrew. "A Modern History of Japan From Tokugawa Times to the Present". Oxford University Press. 2003. p1. http://www.questia.com/PM.qsta=o&d=103548936 "Violations of Women's Rights in Japan". Alternative report to the United Nations Committee Against Torture 38th Session. April 2007. http://www.omct.org/pdf/UNTB/2007/CAT_38th/CAT_Report_VAW_Japan.pdf Read More