Faking Liberties: Religious Freedom in American-Occupied Japan

by Jolyon Baraka Thomas

Religious freedom is a founding tenet of the United States, and it has frequently been used to justify policies towards other nations. Such was the case in 1945 when Americans occupied Japan following World War II. Though the Japanese constitution had guaranteed freedom of religion since 1889, the United States declared that protection faulty, and when the occupation ended in 1952, they claimed to have successfully replaced it with “real” religious freedom.

Through a fresh analysis of pre-war Japanese law, Jolyon Baraka Thomas demonstrates that the occupiers’ triumphant narrative obscured salient Japanese political debates about religious freedom. Indeed, Thomas reveals that American occupiers also vehemently disagreed about the topic. By reconstructing these vibrant debates, Faking Liberties unsettles any notion of American authorship and imposition of religious freedom. Instead, Thomas shows that, during the Occupation, a dialogue about freedom of religion ensued that constructed a new global set of political norms that continue to form policies today.

Genres: Japan, Religion, History

336 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2019

About the author

Jolyon Baraka Thomas is a PhD candidate in Religion at Princeton University. His research focuses on Japanese religions in the modern period, with particular interest in religion and media and the relationships between religion, law, and the state. Thomas has published articles and book chapters on religious aspects of the culture surrounding manga and anime.

Reviews

[Chelsea Szendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this author is so kind to the reader. So many academic books adopt a distancing scholarly tone, and Thomas is not afraid to insert himself and his own intellectual process into his prose. It really gives one the feeling that he is not hiding behind an anonymous authorial voice, and ironically confers even more authority.

A central question for the book is whether Japan did or did not have religious freedom before the end of WWII, under the Meiji Constitution. Thomas argues that Japan did, inasmuch as any place did. For teachers of Japan, sections would be fun to pair with "Know Your Enemy: Japan."

For the casual reader interested in history, you may find that you pick up this book to learn about Japan, and end up learning more about the way that the US interprets its enemies... in the past and today.

+ Fun fact! The term "new religions" entered English-language scholarship through work on religion in postwar Japan!

[Greg Soden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! For the casual reader, I highly recommend reading the introduction, then reading part II, then reading part I. It's okay! Dr. Thomas says it's 100% okay to read in that order!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

somehow achieves to weave so many arguments together seamlessly through a fascinating historical narrative. all while being one of the more accessible reads in the field. this might be a new go-to in my recommendations for non experts interested in getting a base line for what religious studies is.

[Sohaib · Rating 5 out of 5]

"the ranks of the free are separated from the ranks of the dead through the split-second decisions of law enforcement officers." (p. 249)

Prof. Thomas delivers a thoroughly researched book that is masterfully written, showcases his brilliant scholarship, and provides an unapologetic critique of the imperial project that US conducted in occupied Japan in the name of "religious freedom".

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb history, both about a specific historical case, Japan I the 29th century and about the more broad concept of religious freedom in general. He explores the complex ways “religion” was conceived of in Japan, before, during, and after WWII, and shows how this can illuminate “religion” elsewhere. His conclusion, where he talks about post-9/11 world is really powerful.

[Karis · Rating 5 out of 5]

i comprehend more of the brilliance with each subsequent read