Creating Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force, 1945-2015

This study provides a comprehensive institutional history of Japan's post-1945 army. It also analyzes representations of the military in popular culture, the place of soldiers in the formation of the country's postwar national identity, and the social and political impact of constitutional restrictions on the military.

List of contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: Renouncing War, Struggling to Rearm, Creating the Ground Self-Defense Force, and Reimagining the Soldier
Chapter 2: Disarmament and the Voices of Dissent
Chapter 3: Hot- and Cold-Running Wars and a Changing Consensus, 1946-1950
Chapter 4: Old Iron and New Steel, 1950-1952
Chapter 5: The GSDF Organized, 1952-1960
Chapter 6: Sheathing the Blade, Polishing the Spirit: 1960-1976
Chapter 7: A Sword in the Storm, a Life-Giving Sword: Policy and Ground Truth, 1978-1995
Chapter 8: New Century, New Threats, New GSDF, 1996-2015
Chapter 9: Drawing Weapons: Reimagining the Soldier, 1945-2015
Chapter 10: Conclusion: A Sword Well Made

About the author

David Hunter-Chester has a PhD in East Asian history and has taught at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, West Point, and Webster University.

Summary

This study provides a comprehensive institutional history of Japan’s post-1945 army. It also analyzes representations of the military in popular culture, the place of soldiers in the formation of the country’s postwar national identity, and the social and political impact of constitutional restrictions on the military.

Product details

• Authors: David Hunter-Chester, Hunter-Chester David
• Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2017
• EAN: 9781498537896
• ISBN: 978-1-4985-3789-6
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 236 mm x 25 mm
• Series: New Studies in Modern Japan; New Studies in Modern Japan
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book; Japan, HISTORY / Military / General, 20th Century, HISTORY / Social History, military history, Social & cultural history, HISTORY / Asia / Japan, HISTORY / Military / Weapons, 21st Century, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, 21st century, c 2000 to c 2100, Social and cultural history, Asian History, Weapons & equipment, Weapons and equipment