Embracing Defeat

Embracing Defeat an exciting novel by John Dower

The Allied invasion and occupation of Japan has for many generations stirred ebullient debate among history scholars and ordinary men. The invasion, viewed by some, is nothing short of a war crime especially with the devastation of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, some argue that the use of such technological devices were needed to secure a new "Modern Japan," rooted in the western philosophical ideology of democracy and capitalism. The occupation has faced criticisms along with praise from revisionist around the globe. 

World renowned author, historian, Pulitzer and Bancroft prize winner, John W. Dower captures the ambiguous invasion and occupation in his book "Embracing Defeat." Dower intentionally walks readers through many of the most complicated issues that Japan faced during the post World War II U.S. occupation such as famine, a rampant black-market and a open prostitution market that have loomed over the invasion and occupation of Japan for close to seventy years. The invasion and occupation of Japan was an astonishing and extraordinary example of forced western ideology of democracy and capitalism, suppressed criticisms within battered Japan, and invoked a clear definition of national sovereignty according to western belief.

In "Embracing Defeat," Dower uses a critical analysis approach to the study of Japan's cultural, political and social climate during and after the U.S. invasion and occupation. Dower captivates his audience and challenges them to re-think history in terms of the defeated. Of course this is no easy task, so he uses multiple critical and analytical approaches from various disciplines such as sociology, philosophy and psychology, to view the diversity of the survived Japanese citizenry. It is easy to forget on the side of the victors that many families were forever torn and tormented by the death and illnesses of loved ones due to the barbaric nature of the atomic bombings and subsequent occupation by the United States.

Dower masterfully organizes his work in six parts to cover various themes that focus on the year of Japans surrender and subsequent years between 1945 and 1952 that led to the official end of U.S. occupation. In part one and two he gives readers a glimpse into the aftermath and destruction of World War II and also describes in intimate detail the culture of Japan as victim and defeated by using various portrayals such as everyday life of Japanese citizens, widespread hunger, and the alienation of traditional pre-war Japanese culture and philosophies. Additionally, Dower uses comprehensive art to show the evolution of Japan during the U.S. led occupation complete with pictures, poetry, journals, and letters. The comprehensive art is essential to the reader because of the systematic censorship and suppression of the spirit of Japan during this difficult time in world history. According to Dower, "...no public criticism of the American regime was permissible, although in the end dissent voices were irrepressible" (16). However, Dower liberates the Japanese by exposing the evil truths behind war when he uses the picture of two street children, one smoking a cigarette and both malnourished  sitting in what appears to be ruins near Tokyo's Ueno Station in 1946 (51).

In addition, Dower digs even deeper in parts 3 and 4 in which he focuses on societal thoughts and changes in Japan during the post war and the growing humanization of the "Emperor" to the citizens of Japan in part to exonerate Emperor Hirohito of war crimes during the post war effort. This post war tactic allowed the U.S. occupiers to forever separate the "Emperor" from governmental and military actions of Japan since he would be awarded "no official power" capacity in the post war constitution, which happened to be drafted in just one week. The arrogance and ignorance of foreign foes to draft and finalize a sovereign nations constitution which remains un-amended more than 60 years later shows the devastation of a lost generation and tradition in Japan. The "cold war" culture of the United States forced its domination over the world especially among many Asian less advantaged nations i.e. the Korean War.

Rehabilitation becomes the theme of part 5 as Dower skillfully asses the overwhelming critical response of the U.S. led tribunal in which those charged for war crimes were punished by the occupiers. It is interesting to note that the dominance of Judiciary were foreign occupiers and there was only two Asians to serve as Justices for the tribunal proceedings. The contention and confusion of the citizens due in large part to the protectionist approach of the occupiers toward the Emperor caused many Japanese to question the loyalty of the Emperor to those he governed-even more so the ones who sacrificed their lives because of his voice for a united Japan during the war effort. This became more apparent to the citizens when it was revealed that many of their family members would be charged and sentenced for war crimes but Emperor Hirohito would not suffer any criminal prosecution-even though the people followed the voice of the Emperor. 

Lastly, Dower concludes with part six which describes the end of the U.S. led occupation in Japan and Japans economic recovery post World War II occupation. With the U.S. and Soviets fueling the collapse of the Japanese Empire and subsequent annexation of Korea at the 38th parallel, Japan under the ideology of western industrialization i.e. manufacturing of services and goods was able to thrust itself into a greater economic position but not before great trails and tribulations.  James L. McClain's, "Japan: A Modern History," examines costs that Japan paid for its part in World War II. According to McClain, the war effort cost Japan one third of its total wealth and one-half of its potential income (McClain, 530). Additionally, by the end of 1947 Japan welcomed nearly six million servicemen and civilian expatriates which shook the already weakened economy to the brink of oblivion. In the chaos of post World War II Japan, living standards decimated to a measly sixty-five percent of pre-war figures in rural areas and to a mere thirty-five percent in cities (McClain, 530, 531).  

In closing, "Embracing Defeat" is a must read for anyone who desires to gain a greater understanding of the relationship between victim and victor. The embracing of a western philosophical ideology called democracy yet slowly watching your cultural imprint and traditions become annihilated or at best reconstructed at the hands of your foe. Japan in the face of much adversity was able to establish itself as the worlds third largest national economy and the second largest developed economy. Some supporters of the invasion and subsequent occupation of Japan use this feat as sole justification that western philosophy of capitalism, enforced by democracy, works. However, as humans we should question if that ideology should be forced on others who are weaker in economics and military strength, and if the deaths of innocent civilians many of which were poor women and children was the appropriate price to pay.