Did the Japanese Blow It in the East?

i think there's a lot to be said for that traditional view that you were taught growing up, which is thatt japanesere fundamentally out as an imperialist. There was this kind of messianic and idealistic strain of japanese imperialism, certainly among many in the regime who were shaping this message. And i think there were many japanese who genuinely believed that, whether or not their military forces were able to live up to it. In fact, that view really persists among particularly on the right in japan to day.