by Maggie Murray Saionji Kimnochi, the last Genro with an everlasting impact on Imperial Japan, was born in Kyoto in 1849. Biologically the son of Tokudajiji Kinzumi, Prince Saionji was adopted into the Saionji family, a relative and childless kuge(公家) family of similar status. A kuge was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese Imperial Court in Kyoto. As a young child, Saionji was appointed Chamberlain and became a Minor General of the Right Imperial Guard. While his official duties were minimal, it was through this position Saionji became acquainted with and the playmate of the future Meiji Emperor, Mutsuhito. [1]
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by Jenna Marcus Overview Shigenori Togo was Japan’s minister of foreign affairs at both the beginning and end of the Japanese-Allied conflict during World War II.[1] Opposed to war, Togo, in 1941, unsuccessfully tried to arrange face-to-face negotiations between US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Japanese Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe to prevent the outbreak of armed conflict.[2] His efforts, however, were ultimately unsuccessful. Togo resigned in 1942 but was asked to again become foreign minister in 1945. During this time, Togo was a strong advocate for the Japanese surrender, though his efforts again failed.[3] by Sean Wu The vast expanse of the world's oceans has always presented unique challenges for naval warfare. Nations have continuously developed advanced weaponry to overcome these challenges and maintain supremacy at sea, including in the underwater domain. Among the weapons produced in World War 2, the Type 93 Torpedo stands out as a formidable piece of naval technology due to its unique features, capabilities, and historical significance. Even though this new technology helped Japan sink many ships, its advantages would also be its downfall after a miracle discovery by the US Navy and scientists. by Isaiah Bautista and Victor Jaramillo When discussing the Philippines’ involvement in World War II, it is essential to recognize the contributions of Filipina women who served as healers and resistance fighters. On December 31, 1941, 25 Filipina and 77 American nurses arrived in Bataan and established hospitals to care for soldiers, civilians, and even Japanese prisoners (Elfried and Norman122). However, when Japanese forces invaded the Philippines, American nurses were ordered to evacuate further south to Corregidor while Filipino nurses stayed in Bataan. Despite these orders, some Filipino nurses followed head nurse Josie Nesbit to Corregidor after witnessing her “steadfast determination” to stay behind with the Filipino nurses (Wieskamp 46).
by Ethan Julian Zamora, Jeric Ruiz, and Justine Avery Arizabal With Japan's rise to cultural relevance, much of it's war crimes during WW 2 have been greatly overshadowed, leading many people around the globe to forget these atrocities. From anime and manga to Sanrio and Nintendo, the former imperial nation has successfully rebranded itself to appear as a soft power within a sociopolitical lens. As first popularized by American political scientist Joseph Nye, soft power is a diplomatic strategy used "to make people in other countries more receptive to Japan's positions through the dissemination of the [nation's] cultures and values." The Japanese began to employ this strategy in the 1980s to enhance their image, which suffered greatly due to World War II. Anti-Japanese sentiments were common during this time, especially in neighboring Asian countries where movements against the country occurred. There was ultimately a shift in these sentiments that can be seen within today's society once Japan instilled its culture and beliefs through popular culture diplomacy through kawaii culture. While Japan has actively worked to erase its violent history through cultural appeal and attraction, victims of their war crimes have continuously fought to ensure that this history is remembered and the Japanese government is held accountable for their actions. by Ray Matsumoto Japan acquired the Southern Manchurian Railway Company (Minami-Manshū Tetsudō kabushiki gaisha, SMRC) following its victory in the Russo-Japanese War. The modern railway system, spanning from Changchun to Lüshun (roughly seven-hundred miles), attracted countless tourists from Japan and the West. The SMRC instantly became Japan's largest company. In its inaugural meeting in November 1905, it had an authorized capital of roughly 200 million yen (Fogel and Itō). The company also quickly became one of Japan's most profitable companies as the SMRC netted 14 million yen in profits by 1912 (Fogel and Itō). by Andrey Kapustin The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) is remembered primarily for its contributing role in the fall of the Romanov dynasty. Lesser known are the war’s consequences within the Japanese Empire. Having defeated the Russian Empire, the once gendarme of Europe, at the Battle of Tsushima and Port Arthur, the Japanese Empire seemed to have attained a new respected position on the national stage. Yet, the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the war, created widespread dissatisfaction among the Japanese populace. by Ray Matsumoto Nanjing Sorrow: December in Hell by Imagine 21 stands out from other accounts of the Nanjing Massacre. Although some may question why two Japanese playwrights created such a production, their intentions are pure and genuine. This is evident from the first scene of Act 1, or what Yoshiji Watanabe calls the "confession." Watanabe recounts stories from childhood and adulthood that inspired him to create his theater group. These include his experience growing up with an abusive war criminal father to his first visit to China when he was 44 years old, and they serve as the foundation of the entire production. During my interview with Imagine 21 in Tokyo, they revealed that many of their audience members are surprised to learn that the performance is from the perspective of the sinner, not just a retelling of facts. Nanjing Sorrow explores themes of guilt, repentance, and sin, offering a personal perspective that goes beyond the typical themes of war. As time passes, works like Nanjing Sorrow become increasingly important in preserving the history of Japanese atrocities. As Imagine 21 reaches its 32nd year, it is vital to appreciate the art and sacrifice of people like Yoshiji Watanabe and Kazuko Yokoi, especially while they are still active.
by Ray Matsumoto On November 26th, 1942, at around 6:50 p.m., Private James R. Stein of the U.S. Army’s 404th Signal Company was stopped by U.S. Military Police (MP) Private Anthony E. O’Sullivan at an Australian canteen. O’Sullivan suspected Stein of absence without leave and demanded to see his leave pass. Although Stein did have a leave pass, he struggled to find it in his belongings. O’Sullivan, growing impatient, proceeded to arrest him. A group of Australian soldiers who witnessed the event defended Stein by shouting, “Leave our mate alone. Give him back his pass. Provo bastards!” (Thompson and Macklin 210). As O’Sullivan lifts his baton to threaten them, the Australian soldiers rush him, inciting a brawl between American MPs and Australian troops. by Jolin Chan At the turn of the 20th century, Japanese and Russian imperial interests came head to head, as both were interested in expanding into Manchuria and Korea. This conflict, however, went beyond East Asia. With Western involvement, the Russo-Japanese War can be considered “World War Zero.”[1] It was a global conflict that set the stage for future world wars that intertwined the world. |