Behind the Bastards Part One: The Slavery Loving Fascist who Built Modern Japan
Sep 21, 2021
Christopher Wong joins the discussion to explore Nobusuke Kishi, a fascinating yet controversial figure in Japan's history. They dig into Kishi's role in Japan's modernization and imperialism, blending serious themes with humor, including quirky manga references. The conversation shifts to the complexities of Japanese fascism, the impact of organized crime, and dark legacies of forced labor and sexual violence. Wong’s insights paint a vivid picture of the era's socio-political battles, revealing the intricate relationships between power, culture, and resistance in 1930s Japan.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Post-War Rehabilitation of War Criminals
- Robert Evans and Christopher Wong discuss the U.S. rehabilitation of war criminals after World War II, like Operation Paperclip.
- This involved giving Nazis future jobs, continuing their careers post-war.
Early Japanese Imperialism
- Imperialism's first phase in Japan involved violent assimilation of the Ainu people and annexation of the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa.
- This often-overlooked period (1868-1894) set the stage for subsequent Japanese expansionism.
Kishi's Nationalistic Upbringing
- Kishi's upbringing during Japan's rise as a great power shaped his nationalistic views.
- Japan's victories in the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars solidified its position on the world stage.