Behind the Bastards Part Three: The Slavery Loving Fascist who Built Modern Japan
Sep 23, 2021
Dive into the controversial life of Nobusuke Kishi, a figure entwined with Japan’s imperial past. Explore the atrocities of Manchuria and the complex political landscape during the U.S. occupation. Witness the rise of fascist tendencies in post-war Japan, underscored by massive protests against Kishi's policies. Delve into the violent clashes between fascist mobs and peaceful demonstrators, as well as the humorous debates on historical revisionism and even Nicolas Cage's hair! Get ready for a mix of serious history and light-hearted moments.
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Initial US Occupation
- The US occupation of Japan initially had a leftist phase led by New Dealers.
- They implemented land reforms, forcing landlords to sell land to tenants.
Reverse Course
- The US occupation's leftist policies reversed in 1947 due to the Cold War.
- This "reverse course" saw American business interests take control, leading to a "Red Purge."
Willoughby and Kodama
- Willoughby negotiated with Kodama, a Yakuza boss imprisoned for war crimes.
- In exchange for becoming an American intelligence asset, Kodama was released.