[The Thought War: Japanese Imperial Propaganda] [By: Barak Kushner] [April, 2007]

by Barak Kushner, Unknown Author

Based on a wide range of archival material and sources in Japanese, Chinese, and English, this book explores the propaganda programmes of the Japanese government from 1931 to 1945, demonstrating the true scope of imperial propaganda and its pervasive influence.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, Politics, World War II, Japanese History

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[J.D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling, well-researched and accessible critical assessment of the impact of Japanese propaganda during and just after World War II, including some comparison to the competing propaganda of the times. Kushner argues against the more common notions that the Japanese people were driven to and sustained through war by government and military propaganda centred primarily on emperor-worship and racism. He asserts instead that it was nationalistic pride in Japan's superior progress and modernity that allowed the populous to mobilize for war as a nation and to also accept defeat and American occupation so readily.

[Benemint · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introduction was phenomenally interesting. The rest was quite compact in terms of range of topics, focusing on the structure and major figures.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has interesting bits and pieces, and I do find the central thesis, that propaganda in Japan succeeded because of its varied grassroots nature rather than centralized organization interesting. However, the author either tends to make heavy generalizations of wartime Japan, or acknowledges the diversity of opinions which weakens his overall argument. While the chapter on competing propaganda between the IJA, CCP, KMT, and US forces was extremely fascinating, the rest of the book can be a bit all over the place, and many of the examples of propaganda seem to be nothing more than pure jingoism - not much different than MAGA hats or country singers promising to put a boot in an uncomfortable place. This does, in turn, raise some interesting questions about what constitutes propaganda, however.

[Edward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5