By Kenichi Watanabe
JAPAN, THE EMPEROR AND THE ARMY examines how Japan's demilitarization in the months following the WWII continues to resonate today ¨C in Japanese politics, national identity and cultural influence on the international stage.
This historically insightful documentary follows the transitional aftermath of WWII, when Japan demilitarized in order to regain international confidence and thus adopted Article 9 in its new constitution, famously decreeing that land, sea and air military forces will never be maintained- essentially renouncing war forever. Previously, Emperor Hirohito as sovern head of state was commander of the army and had full authority to wage war.
General MacArthur as head of U.S. forces occupying post-war Japan, sought to separate the emperor from the military as war was traditionally waged in Japan on behalf of the emperor, not the nation, with kamikaze missions being seen as the ultimate way of honoring your deity-like commander. Hirohito remained as an imperial symbol of the pre-war Japan in post-war, becoming the first emperor to become a mere "mortal."
However today, Japan's "Self-Defense Force" is one of the 5 largest militaries in the world. Topics that were once taboo ¨C amending Article 9, maintaining the primacy of the emperor, honoring Japan's military past ¨C are now openly discussed by politicians at the highest levels.
Featuring interviews with Japanese and Western historians, as well as activist lawyers, WWII veterans and politicians, JAPAN, THE EMPEROR AND THE ARMY provides much-needed context for the resurgence in Japanese nationalism, its roots in the United States' management of its post-war occupation, the challenges and limitations of Japan's pacifist constitution and the country's evolving role in the military-industrial complex.
Reviews
~ "Critics have said Watanabe's film should be used as a criterion for understanding Japan." ¡ªThe Japan Times
~ "Technically, this video is outstanding... The controversy over Article 9 leads to profound questions on the nature of what it means to be Japanese in the 21st century. Recommended." ¡ªEducational Media Reviews Online
~ "Fascinating documentary... Charting the development of Japan's ever-growing 'self-defense' force, Watanabe captures a critical transitional moment and eventually leads viewers to the state of Article 9 in the 21st century, explaining how the recent surge in Japanese nationalism is specifically directed at gaining independence from the passage's pacifist principles. Informative and thought-provoking, this is highly recommended." ¡ªVideo Librarian
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