Grassroots Pacifism In Post-war Japan

The article discusses grassroots pacifism in post-war Japan, specifically focusing on two groups - workers and housewives - who were active in the peace movement. The author argues that the peace movement, along with other efforts to promote democracy, economic development, and humanitarian issues, played a significant role in modernizing Japanese society and individual attitudes after World War 2. The article includes primary sources such as letters, essays, memoirs, and interviews, making it a valuable resource for specialists in Japanese history, peace studies, and women's studies. The author also explores how workers and women's political awareness developed through their involvement in organizations and exposure to contemporary events.

Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan presents new material on grassroots peace activism and pacifism in two major groups active in the post-World War 2 peace movement - workers and housewives. Yamamoto contends that the peace movement, which was organised in tandem with other activities to promote democratic, economic and humanitarian issues, served as a popular lever which helped to eliminate feudal remnants that lingered in Japanese society and individual attitudes after the war, thereby modernizing the political process and the outlook of the ordinary Japanese. Including extensive primary material such as letters, essays, memoirs and interviews, specialists in Japanese history, peace studies and women's studies will appreciate the richness of the text supporting Yamamoto's narrative of how workers' and women's political awareness developed under the influence of organizational and ideological interests and contemporary events.