Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan: The Rebirth of a Nation Book

Pacifism and Revolt in Post-War Japan presents new material on grass roots peace activism and pacifism in two major groups active in the post-World War II peace movement - workers and housewives.

Mari Yamamoto contends that the peace movement, which was organized in tandem with other activities to promote democratic, economic and humanitarian issues, served as a popular lever which helped to eliminate feudal remnants that lingered in Japanese society and people's individual attitudes after the war, thereby modernizing the political process and the outlook of the ordinary Japanese.

Including extensive primary material such as letters, essays, memoirs and interviews, specialists in Japanese history, peace studies and women's studies especially will appreciate the richness of the text supporting Yamamoto's narrative of how worker and women's political awareness developed under the influence of organizational and ideological interests and contemporary events.