Tuesday 28 September 2004
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Grassroots Pacifism in Postwar Japan: the Rebirth of a Nation
Daiwa Foundation Japan House
Organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
By Mari Yamamoto
Published by Routledge
Grassroots Pacifism in Post-War Japan presents new material on grassroots peace activism and pacifism in two major groups active in the post-World War II peace movement: workers and housewives. Dr Yamamoto contends that the peace movement, which was organised 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 individual attitudes after the war, thereby modernizing the political process and the outlook of the ordinary Japanese.
About the contributors
Dr Mari Yamamoto
Dr Mari Yamamoto is an editor in the English News Department of Nihon Keizai Shimbun. She graduated from Sophia University in 1981 and studied British history at King’s College, University of Cambridge from 1990 to 1991. In 2003, she completed her PhD in Modern History from St Antory’s College, University of Oxford. She was awarded Jiji Eigo Seminar Prize for Best Translator of the Year in 1987.
Professor Janet Hunter
Professor Janet Hunter (discussant) is the Saji Professor of Economic History at LSE and President of The British Association of Japanese Studies (BAJS). Her recent publications include ‘Women and the Labour Market in Japan’s Industrialising Economy: The Textile Industry before the Pacific War’ (RoutledgeCurzon 2003).
Professor Arthur Stockwin
Professor J A A Stockwin (chair) is Emeritus Fellow of St Antony’s College and the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies University of Oxford. His recent publications include ‘Dictionary of the Modern Politics of Japan’ (Routledge 2003).