Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan

The Rebirth of a Nation

By Mari Yamamoto

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About the Book

Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan presents new material on grassroots peace activism and pacifism in two major groups active in the post-World War 2 peace movement - workers and housewives. Yamamoto contends that the peace movement, which was organised in tandem with other activities to promote democratic, economic and humanitarian issues, served as a popular lever which helped to eliminate feudal remnants that lingered in Japanese society and individual attitudes after the war, thereby modernizing the political process and the outlook of the ordinary Japanese. Including extensive primary material such as letters, essays, memoirs and interviews, specialists in Japanese history, peace studies and women's studies will appreciate the richness of the text supporting Yamamoto's narrative of how workers' and women's political awareness developed under the influence of organizational and ideological interests and contemporary events.

Reviews

'Yamamoto's study is an attempt to provide a much- needed broader grassroots view, which moreover includes the important role played by women's groups, to the narrow focus of much work within the field of International Relations.'

- Japanese J of Political Science, Volume 7

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations, Acronyms and Japanese Group Names List of Tables Introduction Part 1 The Peace Movement and Organised Labour 1. Early Years 2. The Korean War and the Peace Treaty 3. The Takano Years 4. The Labour Movement under Mindo Leadership and the Anpo Toso 5. Elements in the Peace Activities of Organised Labour Part 2 Women's Peace Movement 6. Prehistory and the Early Post-War Years 7. The Rise of a Grassroots Peace Movement 8. Reflection on War and Self Conclusion Appendix I Appendix II Bibliography

About the Author(s)

Mari Yamamoto is an Editor at Nikkei News Bulletin Inc., Japan