A Traumatic Path to Pacifism

Portrayed through media, the scarring memories of the Japanese who lived through the Fire Bombing of Tokyo, the Nuclear bombs and the desperation that surrounded the period that forced Japan into surrendering. These memories show the relationship between Japan and their current policy of pacifism. Japan\u27s leadership now seeks to rearm their military and the Japanese populace rally to oppose the change as they bear in mind the horrors that they as a nation were subjected to because of broken promises of prosperity from the Japanese government. Even from the perspective of their former combatants, there is sympathy. The Americans who witnessed the devastating aftermath of strategic bombing expressed feeling sorry for the children. The documentary filmed by Lt. Daniel McGovern captures detailed footage of the Japanese and their living situation after the war had ended. This documentary captures the desperation in which the Japanese faced. It also denotes that the enemy that was responsible for much of the devastation around them was now the Japanese people\u27s only hope persevering through nineteen forty-five. Pacifism in Japan is further influenced by the difficulties that the Japanese face as a result of the war. Starvation, mass homelessness and being occupied by a foreign enemy filled the hearts of the once proud Japanese with shame. Just like their faith in their god-emperor, their national identity was severely altered by the horrors that they endured. These traumatic memories have yet to fade away as the Japanese population still feels that they must resist remilitarization