The Pursuit of Power in Modern Japan 1825-1995

This new history of modern Japan covers its remarkable transformation from a small country on the fringe of international politics to the major world power it is today. Professor Tsuzuki traces Japan's pursuit of power, first by military and then by economic means, from her attempts to replace China at the centre of the Confucian Middle Kingdom; through the Meiji nationalist response to the inroads of nineteenth century western imperialism; and on to the post-warUSJapanese alliance powering the economic miracle of the last half of the twentieth century. He examines Japan's political, intellectual, and industrial development throughout the last two centuries,with special attention to the wars that were fought, and argues that the history of Japan's modernization was closely linked to the growth of Japan's own imperialism. Tsuzuki goes on to reveal how some of the factors which contributed to remaking Japan as an economic giant have also been responsible for her recent economic and political difficulties.

“"[W]e will learn a great deal from [the book's] thorough coverage of what Tsuzuki calls the pursuit of power."--Asia "This valuable and detailed book, describing the long arc of evolution from deep inside isolationist, feudal Japan, through confrontation with the outside world and the dermination to master its norms and emerge victorious, makes clear, in a way that no more narrowly focused study can, 'how Japan got that way,' what it achieved and obtained by its heady modernization, and what deeper values it ignored...[Tsuzuki's] book is clear, almost encyclopedic, and free of personal interjection or 'revision.' It provides the facts needed to see the completed puzzle that is the unique, outwardly modern world power, Japan."--History”

insightful observations and analyses. The basic accounts are known to students of Japanese history, but the details here will be illuminating to many readers of this study'American Historical Review, June 2001Even readers familiar with Japan's modern history will find much that is new and fascinating - the account of the years of the Pacific War is a particular tour de force. ... For the slightly more advanced student Tsuzuki provides a wealth of ideas and information.'Ian Neary, Asian Affairs Feb 2001This valuable and detailed book, describing the long arc of evolution from deep inside isolationist, feudal Japan, through confrontation with the outside world and the determination to master its norms and emerge victorious, makes clear, in a way that no more narrowly focused study can, "how Japan got that way," what it achieved and obtained by its heady modernization , and what deeper values it ignored.'John Mosher, History Summer 2000.His book is clear, almost encyclopedic, and free of personal interjection or 'revision'. It provides the facts needed to see the completed puzzle that is the unique, outwardly modern world power, Japan.'John Mosher, History, Summer 2000.`Professor Tsuzki's examination of the country s traditional position on, and manipulation of power is timely. By studying it we see clues as to how Japan will shape herself in the twenty-first century.'Raymond Lamont-Brown, Contemporary Review, Vol.277, No.1615.

Chushichi Tsuzuki is a Professor of International Relations at International University of Japan, Tokyo.

This new history of modern Japan covers its remarkable transformation from a small country on the fringe of international politics to the major world power it is today. Professor Tsuzuki traces Japan's pursuit of power, first by military and then by economic means, from her attempts to replace China at the centre of the Confucian Middle Kingdom; through the Meiji nationalist response to the inroads of nineteenth century western imperialism; and on to the post-war USJapanese alliance powering the economic miracle of the last half of the twentieth century. He examines Japan's political, intellectual, and industrial development throughout the last two centuries, with special attention to the wars that were fought, and argues that the history of Japan's modernization was closely linked to the growth of Japan's own imperialism. Tsuzuki goes on to reveal how some of the factors which contributed to remaking Japan as an economic giant have also been responsible for her recent economic and political difficulties.

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