The Historical Recognition of Japanese Neo-Nationalism
Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2012, Vol 17, Issue 2
Abstract
In this thesis, I will examine the actual situation of distorted historical consciousness which has been spread in Japanese society and analyze how this has been encouraged through the Neo-Nationalism-related websites. Especially, I will concentrate that the various opinions given on the website are reflected in the Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform (abbreviated as HTR) textbook. Also, I’d like to review all conditions of Japanese society, and take into account the powered people who have allowed this to happen. The ‘Liveralist view of history’ is the home country-centric view of history. Intellectuals of ‘Liberalist view of history’ criticize that many history textbooks contain only the dark side of Japan by emphasizing Japan’s imperialistic invasion, the colony rule, and war crimes in modern-contemporary history. They insist that it should be an ‘anti-Japan’ description of history. The HTR’s views have directly affected the postwar generation’s historical knowledge, and have encouraged right-wing organizations. The HTR’s propagation of distorted historical recognition through various media would have a negative influence on Japan’s own people as well as on all East-Asians. The recognition and attitude of Japanese Neo-Nationalists on the past history is dishonest and prejudiced. With the negative attitude on the East-Asian peace, the revision of the Peace Constitution and the revision of the Basic Education Act are involved in the political agenda, and the principles of education have been put at risk. Under the pretext of ‘patriotism,’ a lot of politicians insist on the revision of the constitution and the amendment of fundamental education law. They assert that Japan must accept the self-defense forces as the military. Such assertions are spread through diverse websites. This is a very serious problem, because the assertion of this ‘Liberalist view of history’ is generally accepted by people without any criticism. The public’s emotional agreement, affected by the distorted ideology of its website and textbook, will accelerate Japan’s dialogue on the military reconstruction. We must not overlook that the Neo-Nationalist movement whitewashes Japanese history to explain its society’s identity crisis, and revives Japanese military resurgence.
Authors and Affiliations
Gyu Soo Yi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP26380
- DOI -
- Views 355
- Downloads 10
Editor’s Introduction: Papers from the 2017 Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference in conjunction with the AAS-in-Asia Conference
The February 2018 special issue features articles based on presentations at the 2017 Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference in conjunction with the Association of Asian Studies-in-Asia Conference held at Korea Univers...
Textbook Inspection and Censorship in Korea during the Protectorate Period: A Study of Inspection Copies of Textbooks Compiled by the Young Korean Academy
Established during the Japanese protectorate period, the censorship system lasted throughout the colonial period as well. Therefore it is necessary to examine such censorship system as part of Japan’s colonization policy...
The Political Nature of the Oriental Discourse of the Hwangsŏng sinmun : With a Special Focus on the Notion of an Oriental Identity
Existing studies on the formation of Korean modern nationalism have regarded the Oriental discourse that took place during the final period of the 19th century and early 20th century as a perception that failed to move b...
Yoshiro Sakatani, a Member of the House of Peers, the Imperial Diet, and Korean Affairs Expert (Chōsentsu) and Japanese Rule of Korea
This paper checks to see the relationship between Yoshiro Sakatani, a leading Korean affairs expert in the House of Peers, and Japan’s rule of Korea. There were many Korean affairs experts in the House of Peers, who had...
Kim Wŏn-haeng’s Intellectual Influences on Hong Tae-yong: The Case of Relations between Nakhak and Pukhak
In the 18th century Chosŏn (1392-1910), some scholars, such as Hong Tae-yong (1731-1783) advocated that Chosŏn should learn the advantages of the Qing (1644-1912) society to reform the social structure and government of...