Rise of Modern Japan Contrary

¶ … Rise of Modern Japan

Contrary to public belief time does not progress linearly. Events do not occur one after the other (though it may seem that way). Therefore in order to understand a culture today, we must look at it in the context of yesterday. Additionally, in order to understand that culture's past, one must also examine the present and the suspected future. Only then will one have an adequate comprehension of a nation and, more importantly, that nation's people. The following selections draw from a multi-faceted approach at understanding the development of Japan as a modern world player. It examines both westerner's opinions and understandings with the interpretations by the Japanese themselves, which amongst any culture, will often differ dramatically. The views of outsiders are not always consistent with the views of natives. By synthesizing both internal and external analysis, we are better able to understand the forces that push and pull the Japanese people throughout the nation's history. It surveys the earliest of Japanese history, throughout it's growth as a feudal state, then into imperialism and the influx of the British, concluding with the 20th and 21st centuries. The inclusion of pop culture analysis as well as the analysis of the Japanese cinema-television industries allows for an investigation for the feelings and emotions of the Japanese people themselves through the film and television they choose to watch. This, beyond all other data, can often serve to best explain the true nature of the populace. Of particular note is the portrayal of Japanese society during periods of war. One will find that both the Japanese during World War Two and the American occupational forces used cinema to shape and mold the will of the Japanese populace. Additionally, investigation of the development of Yakuza crime culture shows how excessive involvement by occupational forces and the lack of opportunity for the population to govern themselves will lead to high crime rates, organized gangs, and a natural black market. Of particular note is the manner in which young Japanese -- under the age of thirty -- view their own history and seek to shape it in the future. While traditional Japanese customs do survive in some degree amongst the general population, the youngest of the Japanese seem drawn to it most in multimedia. Japanese video games often deal with issues of honor and duty to one's family in conflict with personal feelings -- giri vs. ninjo. This theme is common throughout Japanese cinema and multimedia as well as the greater Japanese society. The selections suggest a strong conflict in the role of women in Japan. Long repressed legally, even Japanese women in the 21st century are widely marginalized by Japanese males. Even women of popular culture (manga, movies, video games) are portrayed as highly sexualized, cute or innocent, or so overwhelmingly obsessed with revenge, rage, or a variety of other emotions that their femininity is completely lost. While women in Japan share the same legal rights as men, they're still largely subdued by a patriarchal society, not unlike the United States. In conclusion, no singular analysis will provide the understanding and knowledge gained from a multi-faceted approach. Just as a human being is shaped and molded by the world around them, so too is a nation and a culture changed by known and unknown forces. The selected bibliography seeks to provide the reader with as wide an approach as possible.

Amagi, Yumiko. "Women and Political Institutions in Japan." JSTOR. June 2001. Web. 7 Dec. 2010. .

Beasley, W.G. The Rise of Modern Japan. New York: St. Martin's, 2000. Print.

Buckley, Sandra. Encyclopedia of Contemporary Japanese Culture. London: Routledge, 2002. Print.

"CIA - the World Factbook." Welcome to the CIA Web Site -- Central Intelligence Agency. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

Huffman, James L. Modern Japan: an Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Nationalism. New York: Garland Pub., 1998. Print.

"Japan." U.S. Department of State. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

"Japanese Culture." Nihongo.org: A Guide to Japan and Its Culture (English Version). Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

"JAPANESE RELIGION." University of Georgia. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

Louis-Frederic, and Kathe Roth. Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge, MA: Belknap of Harvard UP, 2002. Print.

Marioka, Masahiro. "What Do We Learn from Japanese Feminist Bioethics?" Lifestudies.Org:: Philosophy of Life, Death, Nature, and Technology. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

Matsui, Machiko. "Evolution of the Feminist Movement in Japan." NWSA Journal 2.3 (1990): 435-49. The John's Hopkins University Press. Web. 7 Dec. 2010. .