Routledge Japan's Contested War Memories - WWII History Book

Explore the complex historical landscape of modern Japan with this significant academic study from the Routledge Contemporary Japan Series. This book examines the deep struggles within Japanese society as it attempts to process and interpret the history of the Second World War. Covering the period from 1972 to the sixtieth anniversary commemorations, the text focuses on key historical shifts such as the return of Okinawa to Japan and the normalization of relations with China. It provides a deep look into how people narrate and contest their past through various interpretations. This work serves as a major critique of how World War II history has been handled in much of the English-language scholarship. It is an essential resource for students, historians, and anyone interested in the historical consciousness and memory of contemporary Japan.