History of Japan (Modern history of Japan) 3600-JA-NHJ-OW

The main thread of this lecture the modern history of Japan, i.e. the period from the mid-19th to the present, including the Meiji era (1868-1912); Taishō (1912-1926); Shōwa (1926-1989), Heisei (1989-2019).
The factors that led to the restoration of imperial power in 1868, Japan's embarking on the path of accelerated reform and the establishment of the modern constitutional monarchy, among others, are discussed. Attention will also be given to the characteristics of ‘Taishō democracy’, Japanese nationalism, and the course and consequences of Japan's wars and colonial expansion.
The course will also analyze the main issues concerning the postwar history of Japan. Attention is given to the circumstances of surrender, the course of American occupation reforms, the effects of the treaties signed in San Francisco, and then efforts to revise these arrangements, including normalizing relations with the Eastern Bloc. The topics also include the post-war political system of Japan, foreign policy directions, as well as issues related to national defense and security. The stages of post-war economic growth and social changes are also discussed.