Book SummaryThe Rising Sun, by John Toland

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Rising Sun

Japan's progression towards a military stance and heightened sense of national identity precipitated subsequent clashes with both the United States and China.

Early Japanese Expansionism as a Precursor to Militarism

The clash between Russia and Japan ignited a fervent sense of nationalism and set off widespread concerns in the United States about the "Yellow Peril."

Toland highlights the significance of the struggle between Russia and Japan in shaping the collective national identity of Japan. Brokered by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905, the Portsmouth Treaty, while ultimately advantageous to Japan, planted the seeds of profound dissatisfaction among its populace. They felt their victory was not properly recognized. The growing sense of nationalism was accompanied by an increasing resentment toward Western countries, with hostility toward the United States being particularly evident.

In the United States, particularly along the West Coast, increased anxieties arose due to the perceived menace originating from the eastern regions. The San Francisco Chronicle published an editorial expressing concern that races from the Orient, perceived as inferior, might surpass those deemed superior in the quest for global dominance. Japan's leadership seemed to be invigorating Asia in a manner that might present formidable challenges to Western civilization, raising concerns. The author notes that the San Francisco school board implemented a policy that resulted in the segregation of Japanese-American students, requiring their attendance at an exclusive school situated in Chinatown. The biased actions, fueled by xenophobia, intensified the tensions and established a foundation for future conflicts among the countries.

Context

• The Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) was primarily fought over imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. Japan's victory marked the first time an Asian power defeated a European nation in modern warfare, significantly altering global perceptions of power dynamics.
• The treaty granted Japan control over Korea and the southern half of Sakhalin Island, as well as rights in parts of Manchuria. However, Japan did not receive the financial indemnity it had expected, which was a source of public discontent.
• The clash of Eastern and Western values and practices often led to misunderstandings and resentment, as Japan sought to maintain its cultural identity while engaging with Western powers.
• The "Yellow Peril" narrative was bolstered by cultural depictions of Asians as exotic, inscrutable, and fundamentally different from Westerners, reinforcing a sense of otherness.
• This was a prevalent ideology at the time, applying Darwin's theories of natural selection to human societies. It suggested that certain races were more "fit" for survival and dominance, reinforcing racial hierarchies and justifying imperialism and discrimination.
• The policy was met with mixed reactions in the U.S., with some supporting it due to prevailing racial prejudices, while others criticized it for damaging international relations.
• Differences in language, customs, and traditions often led to misunderstandings and fear among the American populace, exacerbating xenophobic attitudes.
• The segregation of Japanese-American students in San Francisco was part of a broader pattern of anti-Asian sentiment in the US, which included the Chinese Exclusion Act and other discriminatory laws.

Social and Economic Turmoil in Post-WWI Japan Fueling Ultranationalism

The sense of nationalism in Japan was heightened due to economic hardships, rapid population growth, and the influence of Western ideologies.

Toland argues that Japan's rapid progress and industrial expansion in the 19th and early 20th centuries resulted in social and economic challenges, which subsequently fueled a rise in ultranationalist sentiment. The population boom, coupled with limited land resources, resulted in widespread poverty, particularly among rural farmers. The influx of more laborers into city-based production hubs intensified societal strains due to the financial hardships these newcomers encountered.

The growing dissatisfaction among Japanese youth was significantly fueled by the infiltration of Western political ideologies, such as representative governance, collective ownership, and Marxist theories, which ultimately led to their heightened disapproval of the pervasive dishonesty and misconduct within the government. The author emphasizes Ikki Kita's crucial role in advocating for an ideology that intertwined socialist concepts with imperial ambitions. Kita was a proponent of removing barriers that distanced the Emperor from the citizens, and he supported the nationalization of key industries, as well as advocating for the country's territorial growth under a regime with unchecked power. Numerous individuals from the younger generation, motivated by their ideals, enlisted in the military with the intention of realizing their revolutionary concepts.

Other Perspectives

• The influence of Western ideologies might not always heighten nationalism; in some cases, it can promote internationalism and a sense of global community, which could counteract nationalist sentiments.
• It could be argued that the social and economic challenges were exacerbated not just by industrial expansion, but by a lack of adequate social policies to protect workers and redistribute the benefits of economic growth more equitably.
• It is possible that ultranationalist sentiment was already present and that economic hardships and population growth simply provided a catalyst rather than a cause.
• Rural poverty in Japan could also be attributed to economic policies that favored industrialization and urban areas over the agricultural sector, rather than just population growth and land scarcity.
• Some laborers moving to urban areas might have experienced upward mobility or improved...

The Rising Sun Summary Diplomatic endeavors were concentrated on averting a clash between Japan and the United States, a situation that eventually led to the assault on Pearl Harbor.

The Initial Blueprint initiated the preliminary conversations.

Bishop Walsh and Father Drought influenced the discussions, even though Nomura misinterpreted Hull's intentions.

The author depicts how Bishop James Walsh and Father James Drought, two American clerics, successfully established an unofficial channel for dialogue with Japan, facilitated by Tadao Ikawa, a Japanese entrepreneur, during a period marked by escalating suspicion and hostility. The efforts of the participants led to the formulation of a plan known as the "Draft Understanding," which appeared to offer a chance for settlement via mutual compromises.

However, a significant misunderstanding arose. Secretary of State Hull did not regard the Draft Understanding as a solid basis for discussions, in sharp contrast to the anticipations of Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura, the Japanese ambassador. The misinterpretation by Japan's hierarchy cultivated an initial optimism that eventually transformed into disillusionment and resentment after the United States proposed a counteroffer that was less favorable.

Practical Tips

• Build bridges in your own community by organizing a cultural exchange potluck....

The Rising Sun Summary The book delves into the strategic planning and resulting repercussions of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan's initial victories, and the crucial turning point in the war that occurred during the confrontation at Midway.

Admiral Yamamoto's role in devising the strategy for the assault on Pearl Harbor.

Choosing to launch an unexpected attack on Pearl Harbor rather than focusing on Singapore.

Toland recognizes that the bold initiative to strike the American naval base at Pearl Harbor was chiefly advocated by Admiral Yamamoto, in his capacity as the leader of the Combined Fleet. The initial proposal, which represented a considerable departure from Japan's customary maritime tactics of engaging adversaries within its own maritime zones, encountered strong resistance from the commanders of the Combined Fleet and the admirals of the Naval General Staff. Yamamoto, driven by his inclination for daring risks and the conviction that Japan's sole opportunity for victory against a mightier foe lay in a sudden attack, succeeded in persuading his higher-ups.

Singapore, a more readily accessible objective, had been contemplated; however, following the collapse of France and Holland, the subjugation of Southeast Asia appeared certain, and postponing such a triumph was deemed less favorable compared to taking the opportunity to significantly diminish the naval capabilities of the United States in the...

The Rising Sun Summary The final phase of the Pacific War included the United States' campaign to retake the Philippines, battles in the Leyte Gulf, and the utilization of nuclear arms, ultimately leading to Japan's surrender.

The Allied forces' operation was designed to secure dominance throughout the chain of islands in the Philippines.

Morale within Japan's military ranks plummeted after the pivotal strategic move to Leyte.

Japanese mainland, the American Joint Chiefs of Staff made the strategic decision at the Cairo Conference to advance through the central Pacific. The first objectives on this route were the archipelagos of Gilbert and Marshall. The capture of these islands, however, had resulted in the loss of thousands of American lives. Admiral Nimitz proposed a strategic maneuver aimed at accelerating their progress and minimizing additional losses, which involved circumventing the strongly defended Japanese locations in the Palaus and Carolines and focusing on the less fortified Marianas.

Upon taking charge in the Marianas, Nimitz proposed a bold plan to leapfrog more than twelve hundred miles straight to the Philippines, an operation that hinged on MacArthur's full cooperation, especially given the information from the Cairo conference that his route to Tokyo through New Guinea was to be a secondary effort. The transfer of soldiers from the Marianas to Leyte in October 1944...