Course Description
We will never know the truth of the past. Because history can only be known through the fragmentary accounts of subjective witnesses. The reason will be described in detail at the beginning of the series of lectures.
Then what is the meaning of looking back on history? It is important to know that there were people believing why things happen in this way. Think of your family. The family becomes irreplaceable because they share the valuable memories which are just minor things to others. In fact, the country is constructed in the same way. This series of lectures will explore the common memories in modern Japan.
Course Objectives
In order to deepen our understanding of Japan, we have to look back the pace of change after the Meiji Era.
Japan had been cooperating with the Western powers in modern times, but after the Manchuria Incident in 1931, Japan began to attempt to create the new order in Asia to confront the Western powers. However, it resulted in tragic defeat in 1945. And Japan came to be criticized that the action of Japan during the period had been an invasion based on the militarism. Why did Japan run to such a behavior blamed by the Allies ? Why did Japan change so greatly and so suddenly? It is the purpose of this course to understand the reasons.
