War Memory, Nationalism and Education in Postwar Japan, 1945-2007

副标题: The Japanese History Textbook Controversy and Ienaga Saburo's Court Challenges

ISBN: 9780415371476

出版社: Routledge

出版年: 2008-6-9

页数: 224

定价: GBP 100.00

装帧: Hardcover

内容简介

The controversy over official state-approved history textbooks in Japan, which omit or play down many episodes of Japan's occupation of neighbouring countries during the Asia-Pacific War (1931-1945), and which have been challenged by critics who favour more critical, peace and justice perspectives, goes to the heart of Japan's sense of itself as a nation. The degree to which Japan is willing to confront its past is not just about history, but also about how Japan defines itself at present, and going forward. This book examines the history textbook controversy in Japan. It sets the controversy in the context of debates about memory, and education, and in relation to evolving politics both within Japan, and in Japan's relations with its neighbours and former colonies and countries it invaded. It discusses in particular the struggles of Ienaga Saburo, who has made crucial contributions, including through three epic lawsuits, in challenging the official government position. It is the winner of the American Educational Research Association 2009 Outstanding Book Award in the Curriculum Studies category.