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Why are you plastering your face all over a documentary about… (checks notes)… Japan? This is going to kill your subs. YT has enough narcassists. I’m out.
11:30 Given who was the inspiration for the Japanese system, I think you can start to appreciate the analogies between them when you consider the behavior of the German government leading up to WW1. Same problem and same solution, if somewhat different path to it. Inversion of political order and impending culmination of the crisis between the Junkers and the Reichstag, to be solved by a splendid little war to stir up patriotism.
How do you almost Talk no Jutsu your way out of an assassination? The fact that someone had to rush in and practically tell them to stop thinking says quite a lot about the mentality.
The only choice left....you just have to sell it. Working as a bouncer I talked my way out of many fights by talking, manipulating....harder to keep your cool with several assassins, no doubt
Inukai actually tried to talk with the assassin until his last breath. His last word was 話せばわかる or If we could talk, you would understand. Some even said that he didn’t care if he was going to get shot as long as the assassin would listen to him.
they might have killed the best japan governor they could have that time. had inukai take an important position, in parallel world maybe japan didnt even take part in WW2 and didnt get bombed or influenced by US like now
@@ThePieMaster219 north korea situation happened because they are influenced by soviet, if a country manage to not siding with us or soviet in the WW, they will likely become non-block country like indonesia
It's also interesting to note, ironically or not the most militant Japanese ultranationalists calling for direct imperial rule were least interested in actually following the Emperor's will. As demonstrated by 2-26 incident and infamous Kyūjō incident. They often projected their own beliefs onto the Emperor while being blind to the actual reality around them.
Another absurdity was, the Showa emperor himself was not interested in such direct rule. He was more partial to "Reign but do not rule", partly because he visited the UK when he was young and was impressed by their system. Later, when another prime minister was assasinated, he got angry and said he would personally crack down on the "Rebels" with the Imperial Guards.
had it not been for the cultural significance of the Emperor, he would have long been deposed, maybe even recieve the French treatment if you know what I mean
@@C-Farsene_5the Japanese royal family is the oldest in the world dating back to the 500s if not earlier. It’s an important part of their national heritage and should be maintained.
That prime minister is the most badass man to ever live. His close friends and subordinates all drew guns on him and he politely asks to sit down and have a conversation. They say that they're there to kill him, and he laughs and asks why. They explain that they want to invade China, and he politely explains to them why they should not invade China. (He was right.)
One day, the military chief of staff told the Emperor, ``The Japan-US incident will end in three months,'' and the Emperor retorted, ``I said the war with China would end in one month, but it's already been four months.'' I like the story in which the chief of staff said, ``China is so remote that we can't act effectively,'' and the Emperor retorted, ``The Pacific Ocean is wider than China.''
What if Japan had tried to take colonial holdings in south America and Africa instead of China, and Korea. That was a doomed undertaking from the start. Japan was fundamentally misunderstanding what was happening in the world at that time, I feel. They were also centuries late to the colonial game on top of choosing targets guaranteed to revolt and repel them.
Great video. We spend a LOT of time on the history of WW2; the origins of Nazi Germany, the rise of the Bolsheviks, Fascist Italy, hell even the Chinese Civil War....but we so rarely talk about the rise of the Imperial cult & Militarist Government of Japan.
Japan's road to war with the United States was long. It wasn't sudden like, "Hey, let's bomb Pearl Harbor for the hell of it." Issues with the two countries were brewing for decades, as early as 1907. Europeans in those years already thought the US and Japan were bound for war. For Japan, there's elements trying to stop that road to war but the nationalists and militarists wanted nothing of that. With Prime Minister Tsuyoshi's assassination, the civilian control of Japan's government was over. Like the Roman Republic starting to use political violence, a line was crossed and there was no going back.
Because most historical accounts are Euro-centric, an example of this would be labelling Alexander of Macedonia as "the Great", while Eastern conquerors like Genghis Khan is seen as crude and barbaric.
@@SumiNaga19 It was an era where the Asian societies were more backwards. Japan was back then basically the only Asian country which was anywhere as advanced as the West. (And I'm from one of the countries conquered and occupied by Japan during WW2). Basically today wars in Africa are ignored because Africa's considered to be some backward region of the world, and WW2 in Asia is ignored for the same reason. WW2 in Asia only became retrospectively important because Asia today is one of the most important parts of the world, and because in retrospect it was the most impactful war: it was the great decolonisation war. The other reason why historical accounts are Euro-centric is that westerners are more interested in teaching history than the Japanese are. You should know that we in the East prefer to revere our elders and ancestors and not ask them too many inconvenient questions.
15:48 Hi, random japanese law student here. I thought a deeper analysis of why the "civilian government" lacked leverage over the armed forces-or, more accurately, why the armed forces were able to exert control over the civilian government-is necessary here. This power imbalance primarily stemmed from the establishment of the 「軍部大臣現役武官制 (Gunbu Daijin Gen'eki Bukan Sei)」, a system requiring the ministers of the army and navy to be active-duty officers from each respective branch. This structure contradicted the principle of "civilian control of the military" and allowed the armed forces to obstruct or even topple civilian cabinets whenever government policies conflicted with military interests. The system granted the military a potent tool: by having a military minister resign and refusing to appoint a successor, the armed forces could paralyze the entire cabinet and force its dissolution. A notable instance of this occurred in 1912, when the cabinet led by 西園寺公望 (Saionji Kinmochi) was forced into a general resignation. This happened after 宇垣一成 (Ugaki Kazushige) refused to assume the role of Army Minister following the resignation of 上原勇作 (Uehara Yusaku), who stepped down in protest over the cabinet's refusal to support a proposal to expand the army by two divisions. This incident underscored how the system effectively gave the military veto power over the civilian government's decisions. This structure was rooted in the concept of 「統帥権 (Tōsuiken)」-the Emperor's supreme command authority-enshrined in Article 11 of the Meiji Constitution. Under this framework, military matters were deemed to be directly under the Emperor's control, and thus beyond the purview of the civilian government. Although the Prime Minister formally appointed cabinet members, this was largely symbolic; in practice, the military held equal status with other cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister himself. This constitutional flaw resulted in frequent power struggles, such as the infamous 「統帥権干犯問題 (Tōsuiken Kanpan Mondai)」of 1930, when the 浜口雄幸 (Hamaguchi Osachi) cabinet signed the London Naval Treaty without the approval of the Naval General Staff (海軍軍令部), triggering a major political crisis. Ultimately, this fundamental weakness in the Constitution paved the way for the collapse of Japanese democracy and the unchecked militarism that led to Japan’s aggressive expansion during World War II.
being too pacifist always end up being killed or kicked out by extremists side. it happened in my country too, but in my country's case, religion that being misinterpreted always being used by extremists to gather blinded followers who doesnt use their logic to think if its correct or not.
Thank you for bringing this. The balance of power in governing bodie6 is a fascinating subject. Fascinating but with horrible consequences when something goes wrong.
Nice read, in all honesty! Just last week we did a report on Japan's history of its governments, and it always wondered me how the military was easily able to hijack the Imperial Diet to bending on its own will. I think America really helped to dissolve the military's grasp especially with Article 9 of the '47 Constitution - by dissolving any military force entirely (initially), revoking the concept of war and aggression, and instilling the Emperor as a figurative constitutional monarch. It's also evident how much re-interpretation and loophole-finding was done just so they could establish the JSDF and make it a global partner to other forces, especially US Armed Forces, while still maintaining civilian subjugation and technicalities that it's still a self-defense force
"Gekokujō" (下克上 ) idea which encourages lower ranks to overthrow their superiors was also very influential at the time, and contributed to various misguided coup d'état attempts.
A similar idea exists in other countries, sorta. After all you famously are supposed to be insubordinate when given an illegal order in the military. Japan simply took it a step far and said, "no you can just act on your own as long as you believe it's in the good of the nation". This mindset is what caused several junior officers to plant a bomb at a train in Manchuria, killing the local (Japanese-aligned) warlord and thus giving Japan the casus belli to expand in the region in the name of maintaining security. Although it's debated how much was gekukujo, and how much of it was higher-ups saying that to cover their own asses because they were the ones behind it.
Makes you think if that contributed to them loosing the war so badly and doing so many war crimes. Sure it’s not like the leaderships is guilt free or like they were hostages to their soldiers, but probably made being competent at war and enforcing rules harder.
@@yucol5661 It surely played a part, there are stories of imperial military higher ups trying to at least reign in the soldiers in some most vile examples. But in the end their inability to do so doesn't excuse them from that responsibility.
The main problem with the Kwantung Army is there's no winning for the civilian government. You can't just publicly admit to the world that you don't control your own army, that would be a disaster. But when your army is acting on its own, it's WILDLY popular with the populace, every dead soldier gives more justification to not back down, and more importantly they keep winning and gaining more and more territory and resources then when are you supposed to do, denounce them and look like the crazy person in the room? Remember that this was back when expansionist warfare was still considered ok.
@@georgesmith4768 It was deemed ok as long as you managed to bullshit an excuse that the other side started it first and thus you had a casus belli. Hence why the League of Nations sent people to Manchuria to investigate the train bombing, to see if it was indeed China who started it (it was not).
@@georgesmith4768Scramble for Africa was in full swing just few decades prior. Expansionist warfare stopped being an ok only as aftermath of WW1 and Japan for all intended purposes missed that party.
@@georgesmith4768 Ah yes, the UK, France, the US, the Soviet Union and Italy owned over half the world but when Japan does it, it's suddenly bad. Nowadays, it would be considered bad but, back then, it was super common. Lots of the events leading up to WW2 stemmed from the fact that the US held the Phillippinss, French held Vietnam, the UK held Malaysia and the Netherlands held Indonesia. Japan was dependent on oil from the US being poor in natural resources. Meanwhile, they were the closest major country to South-East Asia and yet, they had none of their own supplies. This is why it was so easy to convince the general public that expanding into China was okay and why other countries didn't see it as a massive problem. In a world of empires, a country Invading another country is considered a minor inconvenience
@@Ricky911_ I’m not saying it wasn’t hypocritical, that didn’t really change that Japans wars of expansion where only really considered acceptable by like Italy who wanted to do the same thing, was on the other side of the world, and was basically irrelevant…
Japan was crazy even during the war The army hated the navy and the navy hated the army to the point the navy had ground troops and the army had its own naval force (couple of light ships) Japan was something else
I really feel bad for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Many Japanese naval officers had a prestigious western education and were reluctant on fighting the Allies because they already knew the outcome. While the Japanese army was free to go crazy in China, the Japanese Navy in the pacific were the ones who had to clean up after their mess and fight America. How I see it, the IJA was fighting an Expansion war, but the IJN was genuinely fighting to defend their homeland. (Except for Pearl Harbor, but the Admiral of the attacking fleet, Isoroku Yamamoto was extremely reluctant on carrying out the mission)
@@iandavidson6208 that’s only partly true Yamato was unique as he was against a war with America and believed carriers were the way of the future alot of other admirals were pro war and many still believed in the way of the battleship (also the navy committed a bunch of warcrimes to) Also similarly there was army generals who were against war with the allies however the way Japanese society worked at the time they had to do what the emperor told them regardless of
Iirc probably thats because both the army and navy are headed respectively by 2 of the most powerful clans. They supported the emperor during the the imperial vs boshin war but they used to be rivals
A big part of Japanese culture in this time is the idea that any action, so long as it is done with the intention of saving the nation, Emperor, or peoples should be regarded in admiration, as highlighted at 4:35. This is also a byproduct of the revisionism of the Samurai. During the end of the Meiji Restoration, the Samurai would turn against the government, and as a class would end up being wiped out militarily. However, after this, the Emperor pardoned Samurai and they became the icons of Japanese honor, with the new nationalist Japan making them role models for the Japanese people. And a big part of this was interpreting their battles against the Government as this phenomenon: Despite the fact they were fighting the government, the Samurai were fighting on behalf of what THEY thought was best for the Emperor and Japan, thus making them national "heroes" in a way
This is true but it's a very tricky and nuanced issue, since the Samurai were on both sides of the Meiji Restoration, some for the Bakufu (Shogunate Government) and some for the Emperor (largely they were Sonno Joui). Many Samurai supported the Tokugawa Bakufu because the Tokugawa gave them power and privilege, while largely western and southern Samurai clans supported the Emperor, in no small part due to the fact that they had more contact with westerners AND they were clans that had been the most suppressed by the Tokugawa at the end of the Sengoku era and during the Edo period. The South-Western clans ended up forming the Satcho Alliance to get over their own rivalries, which is what allowed for a semi-peaceful transition of power from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Emperor. There was still a war - the Boshin War - but had the Satsuma and Choshu clans not been allied, it undoubtedly would have dragged on MUCH longer, as together the war was largely a foregone conclusion once it started (and many "battles" were much more ceremonial than they were serious, with forces yielding very quickly or not fighting at all). The point being, the Meiji Restoration wouldn't have started at all without some Samurai clans turning against the then ruling military government, and it would have gone on MUCH longer had several clans not learned to put away old grudges for the sake of unification and working to prevent another national tragedy in the form of a major civil war. While many of those selfsame samurai DID end up rebelling toward the end of the Bakumatsu period like you said OP, it's through many other Samurai's actions that there was not a repeat of the Sengoku Jidai, which had Japan fighting itself for over 100 years, so a fair amount of the honour they were given as the Imperial family took control *was* deserved.
@@two2truthsThat would be very far fetched. Yes we have some glaring issues right now but nothing as compared to the 1930’s. We’re in the most peaceful part in the history of mankind and yes we got a lot to fix but we’re getting there slowly. Rest easy and enjoy life my dear internet stranger 😊😊😊
An elderly person asking his killers to sit down on mats and talk to them like they are children and trying to reason them while the young killers are acting more reckless and extreme is such a Japanese moment
Remember, Japan enslaved their own people in work camps. Movies at the end of the war eluded to this fact but were usually glossed over to avoid making Japan look bad. The Military (Army) of Japan screwed their own country over. The people of Japan had no say-so in anything.
The political instability in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s was fundamentally rooted in a stark economic and political divide. On one side were the industrial capitalists (led by zaibatsu conglomerates), politicians aligned with them, a small urban white-collar class, and powerful rural landlords. On the other side were factory workers enduring long hours in dangerous conditions, miners in precarious employment, and tenant farmers who tilled others' land only to see most of their harvest taken by landowners. One factor in liberalism's rapid loss of support in Japan was that liberals were perceived by the latter group as siding with the former. The interests of the poor and desperate were championed not only by ultranationalists in the army but also by young bureaucrats known as "Reform bureaucrats." These reformers believed that free-market liberalism only widened economic disparities, and that only state control of the market could save the masses. They argued that market control could only be achieved by an administrative organization (including the military) loyal solely to the emperor, rather than by party politicians compromised by ties to capitalists. An interesting fact: By 1945, remnants of these reform bureaucrats became active collaborators with the occupying Allied forces (GHQ). They threw themselves into implementing American occupation policies and creating new legal frameworks to protect the lower classes, such as labor standards acts and reforms to the landlord system.
@林遼太朗-w2e I'm afraid your suggestion fails on the most basic level: Trump was the only president in the last 30-odd years not to start a new war and actively workedgʻ to end the "forever wars". Trump's supporters are to a huge degree isolationist. They do not want the US to be involved in foreign wars waged at huge cost to the nation and without tangible benefits to the average tax-payer (I think we can agree that elites are the ones to benefit from wars). I fear you have imbibed the frenziedly rabid view of Teump espoused by the MSM and leftoids generally.
@@林遼太朗-w2e Nothing about their policies is anything like trump. The similarities begin and end at nationalism and giving voice to the neglected portion of the population. That groups economic policies had more in common with com unists
The biggest reaseon why Ultra nationalalists and militarists rose to power in Japan is (in my opinion) through one clause in their constitution. To summarize it, it basically gave the Japanese Army under the sole control of the Emperor. No Civil Government could monitor it, or even intervene.
Nationalism was globally popular at the time. As was the concept of racism. Combined, racism and nationalism gave citizens the false idea that they were the rightful world rulers. If not for the US Civil War already proving that racism doesn't guarantee victory, the US may have walked the same road to ruin.
The concept of racism wasn't around until MAGNUS HIRSCHFIELD, the Jewish sexual doctor who preformed the first transgender surgeries in Weimar Germany, wrote the book on it called "Rassimus". Racism was invented by jews
What a wonderful video. I’m researching for a video on assassins, and I’ve been interested in the usage of assassination as a political tool in pre-war Japan. This was a wonderful and deep primer before I start reading on it!
"No matter what the motive, unlawful action always retains its unlawful character. If, for the sake of argument, we approved the notion that purity of motive purifies action, then...we would give rise to grave dangers and evils which would threaten the future of the state". We would do well to take heed of this message as we consider our actions for our state and nation.
Japan: WE MUST ATTACK CHINA! Their PM: that could be possible…. JAPAN: AND THE UNITED STATES Their PM: You want to awaken the slumbering dragon? When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor during ww2 they didn’t celebrate like they did their other “victories” in the memoir of some of their higher ups in the military they stated “Japan fell silent. An eerie stillness in knowing we had awoken the Giant to battle” and awaken a giant they did. A giant with the power to wipe them and their whole island off the map if it so wished as it turned its citizens into melting, walking, living dead that could do nothing but shuffle and suffer then die. Their Prime minister knew what the Americans were capable of and didn’t want that smoke. The highest ranks in their military where too blind by their lust for war that they couldn’t see the utter tragedy they was leading their men into. That cost them more suffering and humiliation than anyone had dared bargained for.
And still some will say that America did a horrible thing by dropping bombs while Japanese literally doing atrocities that maded the nazies to say that's way to far bro
@@HokushoSociety the line in said movie was based off of the notes, journals, and accounts given by the Japanese themselves. Maybe they didn’t say those words exactly but that was the sentiment being spread at the time.
It wasn't because they awoken a sleeping giant but they gave too much time for the giant to woke up because Imperial Japan also had a lot of internal strife at that time. Attacking US was a mixed reactions because US was Imperial Japan's ally. Just to open your eyes, if the politicians do not start the war - they would be assasinated. The video already perfectly explains this. The emperor, despite what most people think do not have absolute political & military power and if he resisted there would be another case similar to fall of the Shogun. (If even the Shogun is overthrown despite securing hundreds of years of peace, what more could a young emperor do?) By Pearl Harbour, IJN already decimated most US's navalpowers. If only they had continue with their tactics and keep pushing I don't think US would be able to recover - instead the army and navy decided to fight over resources for 3 years and argues whether to focus all in to Manchuria or SEA. Unfortunately 80% of their manpowers goes to China and it gives plenty of time and opportunity for US to rebuild their fleet with twice as much numbers.
12:15 Just goes to show that democracy is fragile. You need a democratic culture with democratic norms for democracy to work (see the US federalist papers for more on this). It also goes to show how important a few key people in the right place, at the right time, can create positive democratic norms.
Even today, majority of Japanese people don’t even go voting during elections. Especially the younger generation. Democratic culture and norm is something completely alien to us Japanese, almost coming off as being a foreign cult of some sort.
It also shows how perilous our system is right now. Parties focused more on slinging crap at one another and trying to "win" rather than try to find the best possible leader for our nation. Parties ignoring the struggles of the people to serve in the best interest of the corporations bribing them, which is resulting in more aid overseas, rather than aid for the Americans suffering (whether that be with inflation, crime, low income, or in recent weeks natural disasters). The reality is that there are a lot of similarities between 1920s-30s Japan and the modern US. Of course, the path we go down will differ, but the consequences and end result may not be.
@@troybaxternice populist """"centrist"""" talking points. Right now the election is between a normal political party and a personality cult led by somebody who attempted an insurrection. There is no "both sides are similar" happening right now.
This is fascinating, in the west you never hear about this side of things. Imagine how different world history would have been if these military zealots hadn't taken over the country (but seeing how widespread and violent this movement was that seems unlikely)
It's in large part due to the complexity of it all. We already have enough complex history on our own side to learn about, so tacking on more (though a very interesting one at that) will leave more people confused.
yeah I think the only part that is mentioned in the basic history text book is the assassination of the Prime Minister. But without the context and all the other things it doesn't provide the answer that every single High School history class asks. "Why did Japan attack the US, it was crazy?" Arguably this section of the text book is absorbed with the back story to how Hitler seized power in Germany.
Alt history idea I had was what if Japan had purged it's more militaristic radicals, but that'd require social reforms, and very likely result in civil war. The western educated Japanese military leaders were far more honorable and knew more about the world's affairs like how powerful the western nations were at the time. And while against war, would ultimately protect their people since once committed, you commit. Would be an interesting alt history idea to cover in depth. As a those hardliner militaristic ultranationalists kind of purged the civilian government and only further made the military more powerful. To the point they were the government. Even in Japan the likes of the Kenpeitai were disliked. But they were far worse in occupied nations. Still despicable at home, punctual and really enforced the laws. Plenty of stories of those trying to get their letters past the censors. Japanese rural people had to hide their food in the mountains, anything that grew below ground like sweet potatoes were grown. Because they took all the food, metal, aluminum. ANYTHING you had they essentially came and took it as the war progressed. Japan's infrastructure was still bad, the earthquakes in the 1930s really damaged them. Japan was not ready for war. Hence my alt history idea, what if Japan got rid of the hardliners? It would likely result in civil war. But what if Japan waited, and focused as it did see advancements in medicine, industry, aircraft, etc. Torpedoes were the best in the war. What if they maintained this? Kept going higher and built up a nation to rival the west in industrial and technological might? Because China remained relatively backwards. Another idea is instead of war, Japan could have helped fund various revolutionaries and rebel groups in Asia. Forming the Co-Prosperity Sphere through less militaristic means. Smuggle in weapons, munitions, food, medicine. While rebels might not like the idea thinking if their leaders take such aid, they'd only become a foreign puppet. Hey, Japan could have lent advisors and the sort. Covertly assisting in uprisings in Indo-China, Philippines, Malaysia, Dutch East Indies. Maybe go for a more diplomatic route with China as to focus more on the Soviet-Sino border. Knowing the Soviets did want to press the Japanese. Hence seeing Japan remain into the 1950s. If only they waited. How would that change things? I know it's not super realistic as you say, militaristic hardliners were in positions of power and hard to do away with. Not without conflict even if the Emperor supported it. But it's an alt history idea I never saw done before.
@@frenzalrhomb6919 I was speaking of the officer corps. However given that Japan was the only nation in all of WW2 to use chemical and biological weapons en masse whilst committing the same genocides, human experimentation, and atrocities as both Germany and Russia during WW2 I do believe, even though my people were butchered in the Aktion T4 genocide committed by the NSDAP as part of the Holocaust, that the Japanese are from a matter of quantity and severity worse than the Austrian and Georgian Mustache Man’s regimes over Germany and Russia respectively.
The difference is in Weimar Republic the political power and the military were captured by actual bottom up political party led by charismatic orator. In Japan the government as such was captured by expansionist military officers and their puppets. So pretty different situations.
@@eruno_ No the difference is that the Japanese problem was not a new one while simultaneously being more severe and was dedicated by the tyrannies of extreme militarism and imperialist zeal that composed the fascist ideology of “Showa Statism”
The assassinations marked the end of democracy and civilian control in Japan, ultimately leading to the devastating war that followed. By the way, Sakura Ando, who played Sumiko Ohta in Godzilla Minus One, is the great-granddaughter of Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai.
What's crazy is the Nazis did all that while winning a Democratic election and doing what they legally could. The fact that just one party could win and essentially rule out the idea of there ever being an election is wild. This is why multiple countries' constitutions have clauses stating that a non-Democratic party can't win a Demoratic election to dismantle the democracy
in context: political violence around the world was common in 1932. even my finland was full of extremism in 1930s, also of economic depression and deprivation. anti-communist Lapuan Liike tried to take over the government by force. that was after communist parties were already banned.
Japan during this time was seeing a rise of militarism and many viewed anyone who opposed the continued expansion of Imperial Japan to be an enemy of the Emperor and the well-being of the Emperor’s Subjects. Even after these prominent individuals in Japanese society, the people who committed these politically motivated assassinations were seen as wrong they should be admired as if someone is doing wrong you have to turn it right
As a native Japanese that spent time growing up in both the US and Japan, I can assure you that even Japanese people today do not truly understand democracy. The whole idea of your average citizen being the main component(and having responsibility) for your country just does not fit well with Japanese cultural norms. If the US occupation and its aggressive attempts to completely change cultural/societal norms in Japan couldn’t do it, nothing will. It just shows you that culture will always be stronger than political ideologies. Edit: Yup, I was right. We just had an election here in Japan. Only a little bit over half of all the people with voting rights actually went to the polls. More importantly, only about 30% of the people in their 20s and only about 40% of the people in their 30s voted. The main reasons why majority of the people don’t vote? Most of them answered “I don’t know who is running nor about their policies” and “One vote isn’t going to bring change at all”. And these are the same people that cry about Japan’s politicians and social issues such as the increasing tax rates, declining population and immigration problems constantly on social media. In other words, they don’t want to take responsibility or take action because they do not see themselves as being the main component of the country. The fact that many of them don’t even know who is running just tells you they don’t even want to attempt to deeply think about their issues and take action. This is what I meant when I said Japanese people do not truly understand democracy. In order for democracy to fully work, the society and culture itself needs to be democratic and the people need a democratic mindset in their daily lives. Japan is essentially an “incomplete” democratic country as a whole.
What is very interesting is that in Hearts of Iron 4, Paradox's WW2 4x simulation video game, as Japan you are presented with paths to progress in the form of a branching mission tree. If you pick the early start date, you can pick options which diverge from real history or pick the historical path. If you pick the historical path, the first mission on it revolves around this very event in 1932.
I wonder what happened with Japan in the 1930s. Was it leftovers from the old traditions mixed up with the extremely fast modernization of the country? Was it a country that has been closed from the rest of the world discovering its new muscles and having no idea what to do with them? It is it just the consequences of a warrior culture upgraded with modern weaponry with little to no preparation? Such a tragic outcome anyway.
God the early 20th century had so many of these examples of processes of democratization and liberalization that were tragically cut short, or didn't go far enough, it's honestly painful to read about.
Anyone interested in topics like this should read Yukio Mishimas tetralogy The Sea of Fertility. Especially the second book, Runaway Horses, delves into the relationship between these young terrorists, their duty and devotion to the empire, their “leagues”, ideas and beliefs, and so on. I recommend reading them
This channel: Japan in 1960 is insane Japan in 1932: Hold my beer Japan in 1864 (Bakumatsu era when pro-Shogunate and anti-Shogunate radicals were assassinating each other day and night): No, hold MY beer!
On that day, May 15th 1932, Inukai actually had a banquet with Charles Chaplin and the assassins were planning to kill both of them at the same time(Or their actual target was Chaplin) . Luckily Chaplin decided to delay the banquet because he wanted to eat Tempura so much on that day so he avoided this tragedy.
Small correction: you use Japanese naming order for most individuals mentioned in the video (family name first), but "Kanji Ishiwara" is using the Western order. His surname was Ishiwara.
Incredibly well done video btw. Examining into one of Japan's darkest periods is not easy, especially when there is so little information on it in English compared to the European Axis powers
A fascinating examination of the mistakes, choices, and actions that lead Japan down the dark path of military dictatorship and its ultimate defeat in World War 2. It's fascinating to see how the rule of law was gradually broken down to the point where the people with guns (the military) came to control everything. It remined me a little bit of what happened in Germany between the world wars. If I recall correctly, in the book Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J Evans he talks about how a lot of German judges were not on board with the Weimar Republic and often gave easy punishments to groups like the Nazi's who many of them held sympathies for. This is why someone like Hitler got a measly prison sentence for attempting to overthrow the government, and he didn't even serve the full jail time either. Again a breakdown of rule of law, except in Germany it came to favor one group over the other. In Japan it seems to have broken down entirely in the face of military pressure. Thank you Spectacles for yet another amazing video.
...Huh. And here I thought Arthur McDouglas was the father of Japanese Democratization. He definitely wasn't, but he did help its resurrection after the fascists put it in the ground, which is... still kinda cool.
I’m only saying this because your videos are so unbelievably detailed that I think you’ll listen, (nobody would usually care which is totally fair) but the Lotus Sutra that starts with Namu indeed has Namu written on it, but it is NEVER spoken as NAMU if part of The entire phrase. It is only spoken out loud as NAMMYO HO RENGE KYO. The Namu and Myoho merge and the U disappears. Relevant? Maybe. But just wanted to share with you
As an Indian (Bengali), I truly respect and love Inukai Tsuyoshi for his support and love to Rash Behari Bose, a man that would help Indian with its independence. Inukai Tsuyoshi, not only was he a great Japanese prime minster, he was also a reason for indias Independence. Rest in peace!
I was listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast with the Supernova in the East series on Japan pre, during and end of WW2. He described this era of radical extremism and fascism as "government by assassination". Truly shocking stuff
Introducing democracy into a country with no cultural history of it often doesn't go well the first time. Arguably Japan has never really had a proper democracy, its present day political system is not really democratic in practice; even though it is fine on paper the way it plays out the people have basically no input on what happens.
How is current system not democratic? Current system of government introduced by Americans was specifically made to be as democratic as possible, with fair elections. Every political party has a chance to enter the diet. And unpopular Prime Ministers get booted out constantly even by their own parties. I would argue it's even more democratic than US because there's no electoral college etc.
I concede that Japan is a highly-conformist society despite a democratic political system. Maybe we Americans could use more conformity on educational standards (more rigorous, of course) and in expectations of criminal justice (do the crime, do the time, and the time will include "thought reform" that makes a prisoner unlikely to offend again). It's telling that the US Armed Forces tell American service personnel that the Japanese penal system is extremely harsh. I could live with fewer robberies and rapes and less shoplifting, thank you.
@@eruno_ How is it not democratic in practice? Because Japanese voters are not given more than one good option to choose from. Unlike a true dictatorship this isn't because the existing government is rigging the game but rather that there has been a consistent failure among opposition minded folk to organise a respectable alternative. The ruling party is not popular, they only get about as much vote share as any other Western conservative party, it's just that they keep winning because they face no real challenger.
I always imagine the government of assassination as a dancing chairs game, but when the music stops a random captain steps in and shoots the least ultrapatriotic bloke in the room. To survive, the others start to adapt. Because after every dove in the room is gone, it can't stop. You got to be more ultrapatriotic than the ultrapatriot next to you, because who knows when the music will stop and the next junior officer or student steps in. This transplants to military command. Not just the rivalry between the equally independent army and navy, but in local units.
#RuleOfLaw - There are facts, like "This person has an opinion" ... then there are opinions, like _"I don't like this so it's bad / wrong / evil."_ How is it that so many people are driven to reject reality itself? I suggest that the cult-like "permission structure" uses greedy ambition as *_leitmotif._*
Probably the most interesting thing about Japan's pre WW2 shift to the far right was just how bottom up it was. The people higher up usually thought the young right wing fanatics were being idiots privately, but they never said anything publicly. In contrast, it feels like with Hitler, a lot of it was top down. Yeah, there was pre WW2 antisemitic sentiment, but nowhere near the extent that it would be become. Yeah, there were jingoistic ambitions pre WW2, but the Nazis really ramped it up to 11. However, with Japan, it feels like the ramping came from the bottom and then trickled upwards.
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Corrections:
None, so far...
Why are you plastering your face all over a documentary about… (checks notes)… Japan? This is going to kill your subs. YT has enough narcassists. I’m out.
It's pronounced Dye-it. Not Dee-eh-t.
@@lawjef lol wut? A channel host appearing in their own video doesn't make them a narcissist.
@@lawjef Your vitriolic comment definitely fits the diagnostic criteria's of a few personality disorders.
11:30 Given who was the inspiration for the Japanese system, I think you can start to appreciate the analogies between them when you consider the behavior of the German government leading up to WW1. Same problem and same solution, if somewhat different path to it. Inversion of political order and impending culmination of the crisis between the Junkers and the Reichstag, to be solved by a splendid little war to stir up patriotism.
asking ur assassins to sit and discuss their issues with you is such a power move holy fuck
How do you almost Talk no Jutsu your way out of an assassination? The fact that someone had to rush in and practically tell them to stop thinking says quite a lot about the mentality.
@@westlarper It's very Japanese.
@@HavocPrime8989 their master literally told them "STOP THINKING AND ACT"
Inukai would've been a great PM 😔😔
Balls and Spine
The only choice left....you just have to sell it. Working as a bouncer I talked my way out of many fights by talking, manipulating....harder to keep your cool with several assassins, no doubt
4 guns aimed at you what would you do?
a. fight back
b. run
c. Gigachad your way with charisma check
Well 'a' and 'b' are guaranteed death. At least 'c' has a chance of working.
He chose (c) and got 4 Nat 20's then a failed the 5th check sadly
Imagine thinking you can outrun a bullet
Don’t forget. He still got assassinated.
He wass killed by men who act. Not very chad.
Inukai actually tried to talk with the assassin until his last breath. His last word was 話せばわかる or If we could talk, you would understand. Some even said that he didn’t care if he was going to get shot as long as the assassin would listen to him.
Man, and I thought The Sopranos had the worst cliffhanger in history. 😮
Im suprised lack of story/movies about this period. Guess its just jap gov and their censorship
they might have killed the best japan governor they could have that time. had inukai take an important position, in parallel world maybe japan didnt even take part in WW2 and didnt get bombed or influenced by US like now
@lqfr8813 Honestly though if that were to happen, Japan would just be North Korea... But with lots of boats. Nothing like the Japan we know today
@@ThePieMaster219 north korea situation happened because they are influenced by soviet, if a country manage to not siding with us or soviet in the WW, they will likely become non-block country like indonesia
It's also interesting to note, ironically or not the most militant Japanese ultranationalists calling for direct imperial rule were least interested in actually following the Emperor's will. As demonstrated by 2-26 incident and infamous Kyūjō incident. They often projected their own beliefs onto the Emperor while being blind to the actual reality around them.
They only used Hirohito as a puppet. They never wanted the Emperor to rule.
Another absurdity was, the Showa emperor himself was not interested in such direct rule. He was more partial to "Reign but do not rule", partly because he visited the UK when he was young and was impressed by their system. Later, when another prime minister was assasinated, he got angry and said he would personally crack down on the "Rebels" with the Imperial Guards.
That's what ultranationalism is. It pretends to be about the thing it is selfishly destroying.
had it not been for the cultural significance of the Emperor, he would have long been deposed, maybe even recieve the French treatment if you know what I mean
@@C-Farsene_5the Japanese royal family is the oldest in the world dating back to the 500s if not earlier. It’s an important part of their national heritage and should be maintained.
That prime minister is the most badass man to ever live. His close friends and subordinates all drew guns on him and he politely asks to sit down and have a conversation. They say that they're there to kill him, and he laughs and asks why. They explain that they want to invade China, and he politely explains to them why they should not invade China. (He was right.)
One day, the military chief of staff told the Emperor, ``The Japan-US incident will end in three months,'' and the Emperor retorted, ``I said the war with China would end in one month, but it's already been four months.'' I like the story in which the chief of staff said, ``China is so remote that we can't act effectively,'' and the Emperor retorted, ``The Pacific Ocean is wider than China.''
What if Japan had tried to take colonial holdings in south America and Africa instead of China, and Korea.
That was a doomed undertaking from the start.
Japan was fundamentally misunderstanding what was happening in the world at that time, I feel.
They were also centuries late to the colonial game on top of choosing targets guaranteed to revolt and repel them.
Imagine going even further and forgiving your executioners. Jesus did that.
@@matthewdevenish1106 fuck jesus
@@matthewdevenish1106nerd
Great video. We spend a LOT of time on the history of WW2; the origins of Nazi Germany, the rise of the Bolsheviks, Fascist Italy, hell even the Chinese Civil War....but we so rarely talk about the rise of the Imperial cult & Militarist Government of Japan.
Japan's road to war with the United States was long. It wasn't sudden like, "Hey, let's bomb Pearl Harbor for the hell of it." Issues with the two countries were brewing for decades, as early as 1907. Europeans in those years already thought the US and Japan were bound for war.
For Japan, there's elements trying to stop that road to war but the nationalists and militarists wanted nothing of that. With Prime Minister Tsuyoshi's assassination, the civilian control of Japan's government was over. Like the Roman Republic starting to use political violence, a line was crossed and there was no going back.
Because most historical accounts are Euro-centric, an example of this would be labelling Alexander of Macedonia as "the Great", while Eastern conquerors like Genghis Khan is seen as crude and barbaric.
it is a really fascinating but complicated political evolution, not simple like nazis where one man had all the power
@@SumiNaga19 Exactly this.
@@SumiNaga19 It was an era where the Asian societies were more backwards. Japan was back then basically the only Asian country which was anywhere as advanced as the West. (And I'm from one of the countries conquered and occupied by Japan during WW2). Basically today wars in Africa are ignored because Africa's considered to be some backward region of the world, and WW2 in Asia is ignored for the same reason.
WW2 in Asia only became retrospectively important because Asia today is one of the most important parts of the world, and because in retrospect it was the most impactful war: it was the great decolonisation war.
The other reason why historical accounts are Euro-centric is that westerners are more interested in teaching history than the Japanese are. You should know that we in the East prefer to revere our elders and ancestors and not ask them too many inconvenient questions.
15:48 Hi, random japanese law student here. I thought a deeper analysis of why the "civilian government" lacked leverage over the armed forces-or, more accurately, why the armed forces were able to exert control over the civilian government-is necessary here. This power imbalance primarily stemmed from the establishment of the 「軍部大臣現役武官制 (Gunbu Daijin Gen'eki Bukan Sei)」, a system requiring the ministers of the army and navy to be active-duty officers from each respective branch. This structure contradicted the principle of "civilian control of the military" and allowed the armed forces to obstruct or even topple civilian cabinets whenever government policies conflicted with military interests.
The system granted the military a potent tool: by having a military minister resign and refusing to appoint a successor, the armed forces could paralyze the entire cabinet and force its dissolution. A notable instance of this occurred in 1912, when the cabinet led by 西園寺公望 (Saionji Kinmochi) was forced into a general resignation. This happened after 宇垣一成 (Ugaki Kazushige) refused to assume the role of Army Minister following the resignation of 上原勇作 (Uehara Yusaku), who stepped down in protest over the cabinet's refusal to support a proposal to expand the army by two divisions. This incident underscored how the system effectively gave the military veto power over the civilian government's decisions.
This structure was rooted in the concept of 「統帥権 (Tōsuiken)」-the Emperor's supreme command authority-enshrined in Article 11 of the Meiji Constitution. Under this framework, military matters were deemed to be directly under the Emperor's control, and thus beyond the purview of the civilian government. Although the Prime Minister formally appointed cabinet members, this was largely symbolic; in practice, the military held equal status with other cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister himself. This constitutional flaw resulted in frequent power struggles, such as the infamous 「統帥権干犯問題 (Tōsuiken Kanpan Mondai)」of 1930, when the 浜口雄幸 (Hamaguchi Osachi) cabinet signed the London Naval Treaty without the approval of the Naval General Staff (海軍軍令部), triggering a major political crisis.
Ultimately, this fundamental weakness in the Constitution paved the way for the collapse of Japanese democracy and the unchecked militarism that led to Japan’s aggressive expansion during World War II.
being too pacifist always end up being killed or kicked out by extremists side. it happened in my country too, but in my country's case, religion that being misinterpreted always being used by extremists to gather blinded followers who doesnt use their logic to think if its correct or not.
Fascinating insight! Thanks so much
Thank you for bringing this. The balance of power in governing bodie6 is a fascinating subject. Fascinating but with horrible consequences when something goes wrong.
Thank you, an interesting read!
Nice read, in all honesty! Just last week we did a report on Japan's history of its governments, and it always wondered me how the military was easily able to hijack the Imperial Diet to bending on its own will.
I think America really helped to dissolve the military's grasp especially with Article 9 of the '47 Constitution - by dissolving any military force entirely (initially), revoking the concept of war and aggression, and instilling the Emperor as a figurative constitutional monarch. It's also evident how much re-interpretation and loophole-finding was done just so they could establish the JSDF and make it a global partner to other forces, especially US Armed Forces, while still maintaining civilian subjugation and technicalities that it's still a self-defense force
"Gekokujō" (下克上 ) idea which encourages lower ranks to overthrow their superiors was also very influential at the time, and contributed to various misguided coup d'état attempts.
A similar idea exists in other countries, sorta. After all you famously are supposed to be insubordinate when given an illegal order in the military. Japan simply took it a step far and said, "no you can just act on your own as long as you believe it's in the good of the nation". This mindset is what caused several junior officers to plant a bomb at a train in Manchuria, killing the local (Japanese-aligned) warlord and thus giving Japan the casus belli to expand in the region in the name of maintaining security.
Although it's debated how much was gekukujo, and how much of it was higher-ups saying that to cover their own asses because they were the ones behind it.
Makes you think if that contributed to them loosing the war so badly and doing so many war crimes. Sure it’s not like the leaderships is guilt free or like they were hostages to their soldiers, but probably made being competent at war and enforcing rules harder.
@@yucol5661
It surely played a part, there are stories of imperial military higher ups trying to at least reign in the soldiers in some most vile examples. But in the end their inability to do so doesn't excuse them from that responsibility.
@@eruno_For the most part, they didn't even try that and in fact gave their blessings for such atrocities, especially in Manchuria and Korea.
It was perhaps a necessary counterbalance to Japanese hierarchialism. Yet, in the hands of radicals, it helped ruined everything.
The main problem with the Kwantung Army is there's no winning for the civilian government. You can't just publicly admit to the world that you don't control your own army, that would be a disaster. But when your army is acting on its own, it's WILDLY popular with the populace, every dead soldier gives more justification to not back down, and more importantly they keep winning and gaining more and more territory and resources then when are you supposed to do, denounce them and look like the crazy person in the room? Remember that this was back when expansionist warfare was still considered ok.
Expantionist warfare was really not considered OK, that was a big part of the problem. It was fairly accepted by the Japanese public though…
@@georgesmith4768 It was deemed ok as long as you managed to bullshit an excuse that the other side started it first and thus you had a casus belli. Hence why the League of Nations sent people to Manchuria to investigate the train bombing, to see if it was indeed China who started it (it was not).
@@georgesmith4768Scramble for Africa was in full swing just few decades prior. Expansionist warfare stopped being an ok only as aftermath of WW1 and Japan for all intended purposes missed that party.
@@georgesmith4768 Ah yes, the UK, France, the US, the Soviet Union and Italy owned over half the world but when Japan does it, it's suddenly bad. Nowadays, it would be considered bad but, back then, it was super common. Lots of the events leading up to WW2 stemmed from the fact that the US held the Phillippinss, French held Vietnam, the UK held Malaysia and the Netherlands held Indonesia. Japan was dependent on oil from the US being poor in natural resources. Meanwhile, they were the closest major country to South-East Asia and yet, they had none of their own supplies. This is why it was so easy to convince the general public that expanding into China was okay and why other countries didn't see it as a massive problem. In a world of empires, a country Invading another country is considered a minor inconvenience
@@Ricky911_ I’m not saying it wasn’t hypocritical, that didn’t really change that Japans wars of expansion where only really considered acceptable by like Italy who wanted to do the same thing, was on the other side of the world, and was basically irrelevant…
Japan was crazy even during the war
The army hated the navy and the navy hated the army to the point the navy had ground troops and the army had its own naval force (couple of light ships)
Japan was something else
I really feel bad for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Many Japanese naval officers had a prestigious western education and were reluctant on fighting the Allies because they already knew the outcome. While the Japanese army was free to go crazy in China, the Japanese Navy in the pacific were the ones who had to clean up after their mess and fight America. How I see it, the IJA was fighting an Expansion war, but the IJN was genuinely fighting to defend their homeland. (Except for Pearl Harbor, but the Admiral of the attacking fleet, Isoroku Yamamoto was extremely reluctant on carrying out the mission)
@@iandavidson6208 that’s only partly true Yamato was unique as he was against a war with America and believed carriers were the way of the future alot of other admirals were pro war and many still believed in the way of the battleship (also the navy committed a bunch of warcrimes to)
Also similarly there was army generals who were against war with the allies however the way Japanese society worked at the time they had to do what the emperor told them regardless of
@@chezmcdaveYamamoto*
Iirc probably thats because both the army and navy are headed respectively by 2 of the most powerful clans. They supported the emperor during the the imperial vs boshin war but they used to be rivals
Empire Japan. The distinction is necessary.
A big part of Japanese culture in this time is the idea that any action, so long as it is done with the intention of saving the nation, Emperor, or peoples should be regarded in admiration, as highlighted at 4:35.
This is also a byproduct of the revisionism of the Samurai. During the end of the Meiji Restoration, the Samurai would turn against the government, and as a class would end up being wiped out militarily. However, after this, the Emperor pardoned Samurai and they became the icons of Japanese honor, with the new nationalist Japan making them role models for the Japanese people.
And a big part of this was interpreting their battles against the Government as this phenomenon: Despite the fact they were fighting the government, the Samurai were fighting on behalf of what THEY thought was best for the Emperor and Japan, thus making them national "heroes" in a way
This is such an important current in this story. Highly recommend one of our readings for this video, Danny Orbach’s “Pure Spirits”
Wow I really hate that type of thinking. It's scary because, by that logic, every terrorist is actually a hero 😒
This is true but it's a very tricky and nuanced issue, since the Samurai were on both sides of the Meiji Restoration, some for the Bakufu (Shogunate Government) and some for the Emperor (largely they were Sonno Joui).
Many Samurai supported the Tokugawa Bakufu because the Tokugawa gave them power and privilege, while largely western and southern Samurai clans supported the Emperor, in no small part due to the fact that they had more contact with westerners AND they were clans that had been the most suppressed by the Tokugawa at the end of the Sengoku era and during the Edo period. The South-Western clans ended up forming the Satcho Alliance to get over their own rivalries, which is what allowed for a semi-peaceful transition of power from the Tokugawa Shogunate to the Meiji Emperor. There was still a war - the Boshin War - but had the Satsuma and Choshu clans not been allied, it undoubtedly would have dragged on MUCH longer, as together the war was largely a foregone conclusion once it started (and many "battles" were much more ceremonial than they were serious, with forces yielding very quickly or not fighting at all).
The point being, the Meiji Restoration wouldn't have started at all without some Samurai clans turning against the then ruling military government, and it would have gone on MUCH longer had several clans not learned to put away old grudges for the sake of unification and working to prevent another national tragedy in the form of a major civil war. While many of those selfsame samurai DID end up rebelling toward the end of the Bakumatsu period like you said OP, it's through many other Samurai's actions that there was not a repeat of the Sengoku Jidai, which had Japan fighting itself for over 100 years, so a fair amount of the honour they were given as the Imperial family took control *was* deserved.
Japanese culture? No, it's a different human culture.
The nineteen thirties were insane everywhere. I'm seeing alot of the same patterns happening again today. The past doesn't repeat but it rhymes.
Bureaucrats, Oligarchs, and Fanatics... OH MY!
can you explain a little further whats rhyming today? Should I be worried... I often feel worried when i see whats happening out there..
You are cattle. Go chew grass instead. "...I'm seeing alot of the same patterns..." *Lul*
@@two2truthsWeimar conditions, Weimar solutions
@@two2truthsThat would be very far fetched. Yes we have some glaring issues right now but nothing as compared to the 1930’s. We’re in the most peaceful part in the history of mankind and yes we got a lot to fix but we’re getting there slowly. Rest easy and enjoy life my dear internet stranger 😊😊😊
Thanks!
Love that low, growling guitar riff in the first section. Great stuff.
An elderly person asking his killers to sit down on mats and talk to them like they are children and trying to reason them while the young killers are acting more reckless and extreme is such a Japanese moment
Remember, Japan enslaved their own people in work camps. Movies at the end of the war eluded to this fact but were usually glossed over to avoid making Japan look bad. The Military (Army) of Japan screwed their own country over. The people of Japan had no say-so in anything.
The political instability in Japan during the 1920s and 1930s was fundamentally rooted in a stark economic and political divide. On one side were the industrial capitalists (led by zaibatsu conglomerates), politicians aligned with them, a small urban white-collar class, and powerful rural landlords. On the other side were factory workers enduring long hours in dangerous conditions, miners in precarious employment, and tenant farmers who tilled others' land only to see most of their harvest taken by landowners.
One factor in liberalism's rapid loss of support in Japan was that liberals were perceived by the latter group as siding with the former. The interests of the poor and desperate were championed not only by ultranationalists in the army but also by young bureaucrats known as "Reform bureaucrats." These reformers believed that free-market liberalism only widened economic disparities, and that only state control of the market could save the masses. They argued that market control could only be achieved by an administrative organization (including the military) loyal solely to the emperor, rather than by party politicians compromised by ties to capitalists.
An interesting fact: By 1945, remnants of these reform bureaucrats became active collaborators with the occupying Allied forces (GHQ). They threw themselves into implementing American occupation policies and creating new legal frameworks to protect the lower classes, such as labor standards acts and reforms to the landlord system.
It’s great insight! I felt these ultra nationalists are almost same as Trump believer. I want to hear your thoughts of this point.
@林遼太朗-w2e I'm afraid your suggestion fails on the most basic level: Trump was the only president in the last 30-odd years not to start a new war and actively workedgʻ to end the "forever wars". Trump's supporters are to a huge degree isolationist. They do not want the US to be involved in foreign wars waged at huge cost to the nation and without tangible benefits to the average tax-payer (I think we can agree that elites are the ones to benefit from wars). I fear you have imbibed the frenziedly rabid view of Teump espoused by the MSM and leftoids generally.
@@林遼太朗-w2e
Nothing about their policies is anything like trump. The similarities begin and end at nationalism and giving voice to the neglected portion of the population.
That groups economic policies had more in common with com unists
The biggest reaseon why Ultra nationalalists and militarists rose to power in Japan is (in my opinion) through one clause in their constitution. To summarize it, it basically gave the Japanese Army under the sole control of the Emperor. No Civil Government could monitor it, or even intervene.
Nationalism was globally popular at the time. As was the concept of racism. Combined, racism and nationalism gave citizens the false idea that they were the rightful world rulers. If not for the US Civil War already proving that racism doesn't guarantee victory, the US may have walked the same road to ruin.
The concept of racism wasn't around until MAGNUS HIRSCHFIELD, the Jewish sexual doctor who preformed the first transgender surgeries in Weimar Germany, wrote the book on it called "Rassimus". Racism was invented by jews
What a wonderful video. I’m researching for a video on assassins, and I’ve been interested in the usage of assassination as a political tool in pre-war Japan. This was a wonderful and deep primer before I start reading on it!
Looking forward to that video. Let us know if you’d like to talk about it. Got lots of sources in the description that were great for us
You have a great voice for narration, Sir.
Excellent video, too.
"No matter what the motive, unlawful action always retains its unlawful character. If, for the sake of argument, we approved the notion that purity of motive purifies action, then...we would give rise to grave dangers and evils which would threaten the future of the state".
We would do well to take heed of this message as we consider our actions for our state and nation.
Japan: WE MUST ATTACK CHINA!
Their PM: that could be possible….
JAPAN: AND THE UNITED STATES
Their PM: You want to awaken the slumbering dragon?
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor during ww2 they didn’t celebrate like they did their other “victories” in the memoir of some of their higher ups in the military they stated “Japan fell silent. An eerie stillness in knowing we had awoken the Giant to battle” and awaken a giant they did. A giant with the power to wipe them and their whole island off the map if it so wished as it turned its citizens into melting, walking, living dead that could do nothing but shuffle and suffer then die. Their Prime minister knew what the Americans were capable of and didn’t want that smoke. The highest ranks in their military where too blind by their lust for war that they couldn’t see the utter tragedy they was leading their men into. That cost them more suffering and humiliation than anyone had dared bargained for.
And still some will say that America did a horrible thing by dropping bombs while Japanese literally doing atrocities that maded the nazies to say that's way to far bro
This^^
You do know the whole “awakening a sleeping giant” thing is from a movie right and no one actually said that
@@HokushoSociety the line in said movie was based off of the notes, journals, and accounts given by the Japanese themselves. Maybe they didn’t say those words exactly but that was the sentiment being spread at the time.
It wasn't because they awoken a sleeping giant but they gave too much time for the giant to woke up because Imperial Japan also had a lot of internal strife at that time. Attacking US was a mixed reactions because US was Imperial Japan's ally. Just to open your eyes, if the politicians do not start the war - they would be assasinated. The video already perfectly explains this. The emperor, despite what most people think do not have absolute political & military power and if he resisted there would be another case similar to fall of the Shogun.
(If even the Shogun is overthrown despite securing hundreds of years of peace, what more could a young emperor do?)
By Pearl Harbour, IJN already decimated most US's navalpowers. If only they had continue with their tactics and keep pushing I don't think US would be able to recover - instead the army and navy decided to fight over resources for 3 years and argues whether to focus all in to Manchuria or SEA. Unfortunately 80% of their manpowers goes to China and it gives plenty of time and opportunity for US to rebuild their fleet with twice as much numbers.
12:15 Just goes to show that democracy is fragile. You need a democratic culture with democratic norms for democracy to work (see the US federalist papers for more on this). It also goes to show how important a few key people in the right place, at the right time, can create positive democratic norms.
Even today, majority of Japanese people don’t even go voting during elections. Especially the younger generation. Democratic culture and norm is something completely alien to us Japanese, almost coming off as being a foreign cult of some sort.
It also shows how perilous our system is right now.
Parties focused more on slinging crap at one another and trying to "win" rather than try to find the best possible leader for our nation. Parties ignoring the struggles of the people to serve in the best interest of the corporations bribing them, which is resulting in more aid overseas, rather than aid for the Americans suffering (whether that be with inflation, crime, low income, or in recent weeks natural disasters).
The reality is that there are a lot of similarities between 1920s-30s Japan and the modern US. Of course, the path we go down will differ, but the consequences and end result may not be.
@@troybaxternice populist """"centrist"""" talking points. Right now the election is between a normal political party and a personality cult led by somebody who attempted an insurrection. There is no "both sides are similar" happening right now.
criminally underated that this video doesn't have much views. Love ur videos
This is fascinating, in the west you never hear about this side of things. Imagine how different world history would have been if these military zealots hadn't taken over the country (but seeing how widespread and violent this movement was that seems unlikely)
It's in large part due to the complexity of it all. We already have enough complex history on our own side to learn about, so tacking on more (though a very interesting one at that) will leave more people confused.
yeah I think the only part that is mentioned in the basic history text book is the assassination of the Prime Minister. But without the context and all the other things it doesn't provide the answer that every single High School history class asks. "Why did Japan attack the US, it was crazy?"
Arguably this section of the text book is absorbed with the back story to how Hitler seized power in Germany.
この軍事狂信者の背景は、悲しい物です。
これらの反逆者達の多くは貧しい農家の出身でした。
特に東北地方の農村は疲弊しきっており餓死者が出ることも珍しくありませんでした。彼等は、その悲劇の原因を全ての政治家達に求めます。天皇が全権を握ってくれれば彼らの家族を救ってくれると考えたからです。
結局のところ、あらゆる時代のあらゆる場所で、富める者と貧しい者の対立と不公平。格差。理不尽。
これらが、狂信と過激を持って行動する事で大きな不幸を呼び込みます。
Alt history idea I had was what if Japan had purged it's more militaristic radicals, but that'd require social reforms, and very likely result in civil war. The western educated Japanese military leaders were far more honorable and knew more about the world's affairs like how powerful the western nations were at the time. And while against war, would ultimately protect their people since once committed, you commit. Would be an interesting alt history idea to cover in depth. As a those hardliner militaristic ultranationalists kind of purged the civilian government and only further made the military more powerful. To the point they were the government.
Even in Japan the likes of the Kenpeitai were disliked. But they were far worse in occupied nations. Still despicable at home, punctual and really enforced the laws. Plenty of stories of those trying to get their letters past the censors. Japanese rural people had to hide their food in the mountains, anything that grew below ground like sweet potatoes were grown. Because they took all the food, metal, aluminum. ANYTHING you had they essentially came and took it as the war progressed. Japan's infrastructure was still bad, the earthquakes in the 1930s really damaged them. Japan was not ready for war.
Hence my alt history idea, what if Japan got rid of the hardliners? It would likely result in civil war. But what if Japan waited, and focused as it did see advancements in medicine, industry, aircraft, etc. Torpedoes were the best in the war. What if they maintained this? Kept going higher and built up a nation to rival the west in industrial and technological might? Because China remained relatively backwards.
Another idea is instead of war, Japan could have helped fund various revolutionaries and rebel groups in Asia. Forming the Co-Prosperity Sphere through less militaristic means. Smuggle in weapons, munitions, food, medicine. While rebels might not like the idea thinking if their leaders take such aid, they'd only become a foreign puppet. Hey, Japan could have lent advisors and the sort. Covertly assisting in uprisings in Indo-China, Philippines, Malaysia, Dutch East Indies. Maybe go for a more diplomatic route with China as to focus more on the Soviet-Sino border. Knowing the Soviets did want to press the Japanese.
Hence seeing Japan remain into the 1950s. If only they waited. How would that change things? I know it's not super realistic as you say, militaristic hardliners were in positions of power and hard to do away with. Not without conflict even if the Emperor supported it. But it's an alt history idea I never saw done before.
@@troybaxterWhats so complex about western history?
It's interesting that the Japanese Army Officer Corps seems to resemble the German Army Officer Corps of the same time.
(Weimar Republic)
They were worse
@InquisitorXarius
Who were worse? The German's or the Japanese?
@@frenzalrhomb6919 I was speaking of the officer corps.
However given that Japan was the only nation in all of WW2 to use chemical and biological weapons en masse whilst committing the same genocides, human experimentation, and atrocities as both Germany and Russia during WW2 I do believe, even though my people were butchered in the Aktion T4 genocide committed by the NSDAP as part of the Holocaust, that the Japanese are from a matter of quantity and severity worse than the Austrian and Georgian Mustache Man’s regimes over Germany and Russia respectively.
The difference is in Weimar Republic the political power and the military were captured by actual bottom up political party led by charismatic orator. In Japan the government as such was captured by expansionist military officers and their puppets. So pretty different situations.
@@eruno_ No the difference is that the Japanese problem was not a new one while simultaneously being more severe and was dedicated by the tyrannies of extreme militarism and imperialist zeal that composed the fascist ideology of “Showa Statism”
Inukai is also reported to have said before his death, "I am worried about the training of the army, that they fired nine shots and hit only three.”
The assassinations marked the end of democracy and civilian control in Japan, ultimately leading to the devastating war that followed.
By the way, Sakura Ando, who played Sumiko Ohta in Godzilla Minus One, is the great-granddaughter of Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai.
...hot dog.
Spectacles when Glasses appears:
th-cam.com/users/shortsBmc9NFfhx74?si=9IefkQIhzBU-aqUc
As a German, I feel like I have to say, it was not just Japan!
Never again 😔
What's crazy is the Nazis did all that while winning a Democratic election and doing what they legally could. The fact that just one party could win and essentially rule out the idea of there ever being an election is wild. This is why multiple countries' constitutions have clauses stating that a non-Democratic party can't win a Demoratic election to dismantle the democracy
germans used to obey orders and fall in line like robots
You think? 🪦🌹
germans were like japanese back then. culture of discipline and obedience
in context: political violence around the world was common in 1932.
even my finland was full of extremism in 1930s, also of economic depression and deprivation.
anti-communist Lapuan Liike tried to take over the government by force. that was after communist parties were already banned.
Japan during this time was seeing a rise of militarism and many viewed anyone who opposed the continued expansion of Imperial Japan to be an enemy of the Emperor and the well-being of the Emperor’s Subjects. Even after these prominent individuals in Japanese society, the people who committed these politically motivated assassinations were seen as wrong they should be admired as if someone is doing wrong you have to turn it right
As a native Japanese that spent time growing up in both the US and Japan, I can assure you that even Japanese people today do not truly understand democracy. The whole idea of your average citizen being the main component(and having responsibility) for your country just does not fit well with Japanese cultural norms. If the US occupation and its aggressive attempts to completely change cultural/societal norms in Japan couldn’t do it, nothing will. It just shows you that culture will always be stronger than political ideologies.
Edit: Yup, I was right. We just had an election here in Japan. Only a little bit over half of all the people with voting rights actually went to the polls. More importantly, only about 30% of the people in their 20s and only about 40% of the people in their 30s voted. The main reasons why majority of the people don’t vote? Most of them answered “I don’t know who is running nor about their policies” and “One vote isn’t going to bring change at all”. And these are the same people that cry about Japan’s politicians and social issues such as the increasing tax rates, declining population and immigration problems constantly on social media. In other words, they don’t want to take responsibility or take action because they do not see themselves as being the main component of the country. The fact that many of them don’t even know who is running just tells you they don’t even want to attempt to deeply think about their issues and take action. This is what I meant when I said Japanese people do not truly understand democracy. In order for democracy to fully work, the society and culture itself needs to be democratic and the people need a democratic mindset in their daily lives. Japan is essentially an “incomplete” democratic country as a whole.
I'm don't think American is understand to democracy
そもそも日本人は選挙にいかない
もうそれが全てだよね
The US isn't particularly democratic either. But they like to think they are.
@@norwegianboyeecry more
@@どじゃーん-u9zlearn English
Since Kraut won't finish his series, we have you. Good job.
Damn man. I'm still waiting on that guy. Didn't realize others were.
@GreyKnight343 who is kraut?
@@bmp2918
A snooty but strangely likeable Austrian historical TH-camr. Has his own channel and is very interesting.
@@GreyKnight343 He is also allergic to citations unfortunately
This was a good and interesting video. Looking forward to your future videos.
What is very interesting is that in Hearts of Iron 4, Paradox's WW2 4x simulation video game, as Japan you are presented with paths to progress in the form of a branching mission tree. If you pick the early start date, you can pick options which diverge from real history or pick the historical path. If you pick the historical path, the first mission on it revolves around this very event in 1932.
I’ve played a ton of eu4 I might have to check out hearts of iron just to try playing this out. Very interesting to me
Thank you! This is going to be very helpful for my History exam!
The quality of this video is insane good! You deserve more views.
How your channel blows up bro!!! Great content
I wonder what happened with Japan in the 1930s. Was it leftovers from the old traditions mixed up with the extremely fast modernization of the country? Was it a country that has been closed from the rest of the world discovering its new muscles and having no idea what to do with them? It is it just the consequences of a warrior culture upgraded with modern weaponry with little to no preparation?
Such a tragic outcome anyway.
japan was invaded countless times, during the thousand years the country existed, by the inland east asians in a way this was also about revenge
God the early 20th century had so many of these examples of processes of democratization and liberalization that were tragically cut short, or didn't go far enough, it's honestly painful to read about.
Anyone interested in topics like this should read Yukio Mishimas tetralogy The Sea of Fertility. Especially the second book, Runaway Horses, delves into the relationship between these young terrorists, their duty and devotion to the empire, their “leagues”, ideas and beliefs, and so on. I recommend reading them
That little piano lick in the beginning sounds like the sound windows makes when you plug in a device
i was looking for this reply, thank you, I'm not insain.
Just got back from vacation and am treated to this absolute nugget. Truly truly tremendous work fellas
🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇 I wanna hear about your vacation 💬💬❤️❤️❤️
Great script, visuals and music - this is how youtube should be done. Keep it up!
Cant wait for more historical content from this channel!
Fun fact:
If Charlie Chaplin had not chosen to go to the sumo wrestling match, he would’ve been assassinated in 1932 by the IJN
the style of these videos is great ngl
This prime minister used the Talk No Jutsu
And failed lol
not really, it worked with the first 4, the last one came outa nowhere to ensure the canon event happens no matter what.
By the way, Chaplin came to Japan at this time and was almost assassinated.
Crazy
The Japan in 1932 situation is crazy
It is a conflict of emotions that this channel fills the void that lemmino leaves after every annual banger.
What the Christ are you trying to say?
@SZF123456 This channel emulates lemmino in almost every way. he uploads only once or twice a year. bozo.
not to mention, the year began with the attempt on the Emporers life in the Sakuradamon incident
I would love to know the voting participation percentage as the eligibility of individuals grew. (particularly 1918-1925) Phenomenal video, btw.
This channel: Japan in 1960 is insane
Japan in 1932: Hold my beer
Japan in 1864 (Bakumatsu era when pro-Shogunate and anti-Shogunate radicals were assassinating each other day and night): No, hold MY beer!
i see what you did there
Hold my sake
Perhaps your best video yet.
🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇
13:03 is litterally the american government rn.
Not really
Yep. The political parties don't engage in debates about policies they just try to expose scandals.
Democrats are the down fall of our nation we will see hyperinflation after Kamala gets elected it’s all part of the plan
On that day, May 15th 1932, Inukai actually had a banquet with Charles Chaplin and the assassins were planning to kill both of them at the same time(Or their actual target was Chaplin) . Luckily Chaplin decided to delay the banquet because he wanted to eat Tempura so much on that day so he avoided this tragedy.
Japan's history is some of the wildest of any country on Earth
I've never heard unfamiliar history communicated so clearly, concisely and effectively. Brilliant job.
Small correction: you use Japanese naming order for most individuals mentioned in the video (family name first), but "Kanji Ishiwara" is using the Western order. His surname was Ishiwara.
Incredibly well done video btw. Examining into one of Japan's darkest periods is not easy, especially when there is so little information on it in English compared to the European Axis powers
A fascinating examination of the mistakes, choices, and actions that lead Japan down the dark path of military dictatorship and its ultimate defeat in World War 2. It's fascinating to see how the rule of law was gradually broken down to the point where the people with guns (the military) came to control everything.
It remined me a little bit of what happened in Germany between the world wars. If I recall correctly, in the book Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J Evans he talks about how a lot of German judges were not on board with the Weimar Republic and often gave easy punishments to groups like the Nazi's who many of them held sympathies for. This is why someone like Hitler got a measly prison sentence for attempting to overthrow the government, and he didn't even serve the full jail time either. Again a breakdown of rule of law, except in Germany it came to favor one group over the other. In Japan it seems to have broken down entirely in the face of military pressure.
Thank you Spectacles for yet another amazing video.
Unrelated to the content but the editing on this is beautiful. A+ work
3:40 - holy moly, you got it right! Courts Martial, not Court Martials.
I didn't know any of this. Thank you for teaching us
as always this guys dose not miss in making good and entertaining videos these videos are way better then other garbage on this site
Yooooo this is the first time i see a youtuber who looks exactly how he sounds and it’s so pleasing
...Huh. And here I thought Arthur McDouglas was the father of Japanese Democratization.
He definitely wasn't, but he did help its resurrection after the fascists put it in the ground, which is... still kinda cool.
Everything beginning with the Meiji restoration to the end of world war 2 involving Japan was pretty brutal and crazy.
Thank you. I feel better educated by your videos. I hope you have Japanese subtitle soon so young Japanese can learn more about what really happened.
Do you think Japanese people are that ignorant? We learn about incidents like this in our compulsory education.
“Dialogue is useless” is the quote before firing, according to translations I’ve seen.
I’m only saying this because your videos are so unbelievably detailed that I think you’ll listen, (nobody would usually care which is totally fair) but the Lotus Sutra that starts with Namu indeed has Namu written on it, but it is NEVER spoken as NAMU if part of The entire phrase. It is only spoken out loud as NAMMYO HO RENGE KYO. The Namu and Myoho merge and the U disappears. Relevant? Maybe. But just wanted to share with you
Thanks for the pointer and for your kind words!
Nice recap, thank you for sharing. : )
As an Indian (Bengali), I truly respect and love Inukai Tsuyoshi for his support and love to Rash Behari Bose, a man that would help Indian with its independence.
Inukai Tsuyoshi, not only was he a great Japanese prime minster, he was also a reason for indias Independence.
Rest in peace!
I really liked how taken aback and shocked the officers where at how polite the PM was that was stunning.
Was waiting for the japanese costume to come out on this one 😅
🥸🇯🇵
Excellently done video, this deserves a million views at least.
Have you considered partnering with some bigger TH-camrs?
I was listening to Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast with the Supernova in the East series on Japan pre, during and end of WW2. He described this era of radical extremism and fascism as "government by assassination". Truly shocking stuff
Very informative!
Corruption and incompetence, sounds like nothing in Japan has changed in the last 90 odd years
I can’t wait for your next video
League of Blood is such a sick cult name.
it's also a clear "are we the baddies" type of name
I love Your content! There are some crazy Brazilian stories You should cover...
Cherry Blossom Society moment
Idea for next title: The Krakatoa situation is crazy
Introducing democracy into a country with no cultural history of it often doesn't go well the first time. Arguably Japan has never really had a proper democracy, its present day political system is not really democratic in practice; even though it is fine on paper the way it plays out the people have basically no input on what happens.
How is current system not democratic? Current system of government introduced by Americans was specifically made to be as democratic as possible, with fair elections. Every political party has a chance to enter the diet. And unpopular Prime Ministers get booted out constantly even by their own parties. I would argue it's even more democratic than US because there's no electoral college etc.
I concede that Japan is a highly-conformist society despite a democratic political system. Maybe we Americans could use more conformity on educational standards (more rigorous, of course) and in expectations of criminal justice (do the crime, do the time, and the time will include "thought reform" that makes a prisoner unlikely to offend again). It's telling that the US Armed Forces tell American service personnel that the Japanese penal system is extremely harsh. I could live with fewer robberies and rapes and less shoplifting, thank you.
@@eruno_ How is it not democratic in practice? Because Japanese voters are not given more than one good option to choose from. Unlike a true dictatorship this isn't because the existing government is rigging the game but rather that there has been a consistent failure among opposition minded folk to organise a respectable alternative.
The ruling party is not popular, they only get about as much vote share as any other Western conservative party, it's just that they keep winning because they face no real challenger.
I always imagine the government of assassination as a dancing chairs game, but when the music stops a random captain steps in and shoots the least ultrapatriotic bloke in the room. To survive, the others start to adapt. Because after every dove in the room is gone, it can't stop. You got to be more ultrapatriotic than the ultrapatriot next to you, because who knows when the music will stop and the next junior officer or student steps in.
This transplants to military command. Not just the rivalry between the equally independent army and navy, but in local units.
Hopefully u do video about how US ARMY get away from being jailed after do crime in Japan for years
Next vid “Japan in 2022 was insane”
The phrase isn't cultist, it's the lotus prayer from Buddhist practice, it's used for protection
love your videos, wish youtube wasn't so volatile with how many views it allows you to get!
The world would have been completely different if they listened to him.
Me at 2 am: I'm tired, going to sleep.
TH-cam: Would you like to learn about how crazy Japan was in 1932??
Yo is that a Kansas City flag in your background?
❤️KC❤️
Great video
#RuleOfLaw - There are facts, like "This person has an opinion" ... then there are opinions, like _"I don't like this so it's bad / wrong / evil."_
How is it that so many people are driven to reject reality itself? I suggest that the cult-like "permission structure" uses greedy ambition as *_leitmotif._*
sure sounds familiar doesn’t it
This period of Japanese history would make for a great anime.
Probably the most interesting thing about Japan's pre WW2 shift to the far right was just how bottom up it was. The people higher up usually thought the young right wing fanatics were being idiots privately, but they never said anything publicly. In contrast, it feels like with Hitler, a lot of it was top down. Yeah, there was pre WW2 antisemitic sentiment, but nowhere near the extent that it would be become. Yeah, there were jingoistic ambitions pre WW2, but the Nazis really ramped it up to 11. However, with Japan, it feels like the ramping came from the bottom and then trickled upwards.
General Ishiwara Kanji is a fascinating guy