United States & Japan/Postwar-Pa - Paperback

by Akira Iriye (Editor), Warren I. Cohen (Editor)

A major phenomenon in the post-World War II world is the rise of Japan as a leading international economic and industrial power. This advance began with American aid in rebuilding the nation after the war, but it has now seen Japan rival and even outstrip the United States on several fronts. The relations between the two powers and the impact that they have on economic and political factors during the postwar years are the focus of this important book. The editors, Akira Iriye and Warren I. Cohen, themselves noted authorities on Asian affairs, have gathered here contributions from a distinguished group of American and Japanese scholars. The resulting collection represents a unique blend of viewpoints from each side of the American-Japanese relationship.

Back Jacket

In 1984 a group of distinguished American and Japanese scholars met under the auspices of the Social Science Research Council--with the support of the Ford Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Japan-United States Friendship Commission--to examine relations between their countries in a historical and global context. They recognized that the constantly growing issues between the two countries, which were becoming so complex that many across the Pacific were warning of a 'drifting apart, ' if not a rupture, of two of the closest allies since the war, could only be understood if examined historically--in relation to the overall themes and trends in the past several decades--and globally--in the context of changing world and regional affairs.

Author Biography

Akira Iriye is Charles Warren Professor of American History at Harvard University. Warren I. Cohen is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.