Japanese Wartime Governance and the Question of Fascism, 1931-1945
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58445/rars.3364Abstract
In terms of their involvement in World War II, Japan was one of the most misunderstood and complex nations. While the rise of fascism and communism in Europe dominate modern narratives about 1930s and 1940s politics, Japan’s political shifts often go unnoticed, especially by Western historians. As a result, many label its government as fascist in the traditional sense because of its alliance with the Tripartite Pact. However, this label oversimplifies the unique political and military systems that shaped that nation. This paper examines Japan’s government during the 1930s and 1940s, arguing that it was not strictly fascist but rather a distinctive combination of fascist state, an imperialist nation, and militaristic junta. To support this argument, this paper explores key events in modern Japanese history, including the Meiji Restoration, the Taisho Era, the Mukden Incident, the establishment of Manchukuo, the February 26th Incident, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Empire of Japan is indeed defined by these events, but on close examination, they do not align Japan with universally recognized fascist nations such as Nazi Germany, Italy, and Romania, nor do they totally fall into line with imperial powers like Britain. The paper also aims to illustrate the views of important Japanese leaders such as Emperor Hirohito, Ishiwara Kanji, Hideki Tojo, and Yosuke Matsuoka, to provide a better understanding of the ideological, political, and military forces that influenced Japan during this chaotic time.
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