Routledge War Memory, Nationalism and Education in Postwar Japan

This book examines Japan's history textbook controversy, exploring how official state-approved curricula have omitted or minimised episodes from the Asia-Pacific War (1931-1945) and Japan's occupation of neighbouring countries. The work analyses critical perspectives on peace and justice, investigating how textbook debates reflect Japan's national identity and relationship with its past. By studying Ienaga Saburo's court challenges and broader educational conflicts, the book reveals the tension between official narratives and alternative historical accounts. It addresses fundamental questions about how nations confront historical accountability and what choices Japan makes regarding its present and future self-definition. This comprehensive examination of the textbook controversy demonstrates why historical memory in education remains central to national identity, peace initiatives, and social responsibility in postwar societies.