The Japanese Empire in East Asia and Its Postwar Legacy

Eleven scholars from Europe, Asia, and the United States evaluate the historical significance of Japan’s empire in the context of an era shaped by imperialism, nationalism, modernity, and war. Eschewing simple generalizations, they explore new primary sources to present multilayered views of various aspects of Japan-East Asia interactions. The articles are grouped into three broad themes: the domestic foundations of Japanese imperialism; the workings of the Japanese empire in East Asia; and the postwar legacy of the Japanese empire. This book evolved from the conference “The Japanese Empire in East Asia and Its Postwar Legacy,” which was organized by Harald Fuess in October 1997 as part of the DIJ’s research focus “Japan in Asia.”