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East Asia, The Modern Transformation notes
for The U.S. War Against Asia
by William P. Meyers
Also sponsored by Peace Pins
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Page 8
Notes from
East Asia, The Modern Transformation
by John K. Fairbank, Edwin O. Reischauer, and Albert M. Craig
Tibet history [996-999]
Firebombing by the United States of "Japan's industrial facilities and civilian housing." Some details of the war crimes, without calling it war crime. A general election was held in Japan in April 1942, showing it remained a democracy. "Tojo was not a dictator like Hitler, Mussolini, or Franco." "At the start, Japan's strategy was to negotiate a peace when the United States grew tired of fighting." [808]
After America fulfilled its century-old dream of conquering Japan, "Shinto shrines were disestablished. Armaments industries were dismantled or shut down." 25 Japanese thought responsible for the war were were charged with war crimes. "Seven of the wartime leaders, including Tojo, were handed in December 1948." [I believe much larger numbers of Japanese were charged with war crimes and often executed. This figure is just for "leaders."] [813]
The new Japanese Constitution written by Americans included rights not in the U.S. Constitution, including "the right to maintain the minimum standards of wholesome and cultural living," "academic freedom," and the right to collective bargaining by workers. [815]
America changed its Japan strategy when it became clear the Communists would win in China (1947-1948). "Japan became pivotally important." The emphasis changed to economic reconstruction, and in 1950 when the Korean Civil War began Japan assumed critical importance as a staging area for the Western powers. [819]
The 1951 peace treaty between Japan and the United States in theory made Japan independent again, but the security clauses left the U.S. with military dominance and the right to maintain its bases in Japan. In addition the treaty ceded the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa, to the U.S., though Japan was later given "residual sovereignty" over them. [819]
The Soviet zone of Korea, now North Korea, held free elections in November 1946. [845] [WPM: of course the book implies the elections were manipulated by the Communists.]
End of notes
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