World War II, Japan, and Diplomacy

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World War II, Japan, and Diplomacy
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• World War II, or the Second World War
• -was a worldwide conflict fought between the
  Allied Powers and the Axis Powers, from 1939
  until 1945. Armed forces from over seventy
  nations engaged in aerial, naval, and
  ground-based combat. Spanning much of the globe.
• -Axis powers desired both lands that had been
  denied them after WWI and other regions rich in
  resources.

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Growing American Involvement
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When the war began in 1939, the United States
declared its neutrality. Congress passed the
Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the President to
supply arms to those who were fighting for
democracy. Roosevelt and Churchill issued the
Atlantic Charter, which called for the final
destruction of the Nazi tyranny. Japan advanced
into French Indochina and the Dutch East
Indies. To stop Japanese aggression, the United
States banned the sale of war materials to
Japan. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The United
States declared war on Japan. Germany and Italy,
as Japans allies, declared war on the United
States.
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Occupied Lands
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While the Germans rampaged across Europe, the
Japanese conquered an empire in Asia and the
Pacific. Each set out to build a new order in
the occupied lands.

• Hitler set up puppet governments in countries
  that were peopled by Aryans.
• Eastern Europeans were considered an inferior
  race, and were thus shoved aside to provide
  living space for Germans.
• To the Nazis, occupied lands were an economic
  resource to be looted and plundered.
• Japanese invasion of China which began even
  before WWII until the end of WWII.

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Japans Aggression Article New Order for
Greater East Asia

• In the late 1930s, Japans concept for a new
  order in East
• Asia had the fundamental idea that a cooperative
  economic
• order would benefit the oppressed Asian region.
• Japans self-proclaimed mission was to help
  Asians escape imperial rule.
• In fact, its real goal was a Japanese empire in
  Asia.

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The Atomic Bomb
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• Dropping the atomic bomb brought a quick end to
  the war. It also unleashed terrifying
  destruction.
• Truman was convinced that Japan would not
  surrender without an invasion that would result
  in enormous losses of both American and Japanese
  lives.
• Truman also may have hoped that the bomb would
  impress the Soviet Union with American power.

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Aftermath of War
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• The appalling costs of the war began to emerge.
• The world learned the full extent of the horrors
  of the Holocaust.
• War crimes trials were held in Germany, Italy,
  and Japan.
• The Allies worked to strengthen democracy in
• occupied Germany and Japan.

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Casualties of World War II
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Military Military Civilian Dead Wounded Dead
Allies Britain 389,000 475,000
65,000 France 211,000 400,000
108,000 Soviet Union 7,500,000 14,102,000 15,000,
000 United States 292,000 671,000
Axis Powers Germany 2,850,000 7,250,
000 5,000,000 Italy 77,500 120,000
100,000 Japan 1,576,000 500,000 300,000
Very small number of civilian dead. Source
Henri Michel, The Second World War
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The United Nations
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• Under the UN Charter, each of the member nations
  had one vote in the General Assembly. A smaller
  body, the Security Council, was given greater
  power. Its five permanent members were the
  United States, the Soviet Union (today Russia),
  Britain, France, and China.
• The UNs work would go far beyond peacekeeping.
  The organization would take on many world
  problems.

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Japans Recovery and Economic Miracle
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• Japans success was based on producing goods
  for export. At first, the nation manufactured
  textiles. Later, it shifted to making steel, and
  then to high technology.
• While Japan had to rebuild from scratch, the
  nation had successfully industrialized in the
  past. Thus, it was able to quickly build
  efficient, modern factories and adapt the latest
  technology.
• Japan benefited from an educated, highly
  skilled work force.
• Japanese workers saved much of their money.
  These savings gave banks the capital to invest in
  industrial growth.
• Japan did not have to spend money on
  maintaining a large military force.

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Japan Issues at home

• 1945-1952 Allied occupation of Japan democratic
  party government is restored
• women gain legal equality and right to vote.
• Enactment of the new (democratic) constitution
  transforms Japan's political life, making it a
  truly parliamentary state.
• With a peace treaty signed in 1951, Japan regains
  its independence.
• Late 1950s to the early 1970s is called the "High
  Growth Age" in Japan because of the booming
  economy.
• Highlights of the era are the Tokyo Olympic Games
  in 1964 and Expo 1970 in Osaka. In 1972 relations
  with China are normalized.

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Economic and Political Interaction
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• The oil crisis of the 1970s brought home Japans
  dependence on the world market. In response to
  the economic challenge the oil crisis presented,
  Japan sought better relations with oil-producing
  nations of the Middle East.
• Japan has had to deal with nations that still
  held bitter memories of World War II. Japan was
  slow to apologize for its wartime actions. In the
  1990s, Japanese leaders offered some public
  regrets for the destruction of the war years.
• For many years, Japan took a back seat in
  international politics. More recently, it has
  taken on a larger world role. Today, Japan ranks
  as the worlds largest donor of foreign aid.

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• Global issues foster debate. In 1989 Prince
  Akihito succeeds to the throne.
• 1991 the gulf War ignites controversy over
  Japan's role in the international community.
  Should Japan strictly protect the "peace"
  constitution of 1947, a major cause of its
  prosperity? Or should it contribute troops as
  well as financial support to United Nations
  operations?
• In 1993, after Japanese troops are pulled out of
  a United Nations operation in Cambodia, the
  arguments go on Should Japan become more
  internationally minded? Or should domestic peace
  and prosperity be the main priority?

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Diplomacy
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• Defined as, the art of negotiation between
  nations using tact.
• American Diplomacy
• The idea of a long-held American faith in freedom
  and
• self-determination. American diplomacy had to
  grapple
• with the differing visions and objectives of
  other
• important partners of the international scene.
• International Diplomacy
• World War II Allies set up an international
  organization to ensure peace.
• Japanese Diplomacy
• Reaffirm commitment to remain involved in the
  UNs efforts to ensure peace and stability
  throughout the world.

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Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
http//www.un.int/japan/aboutus/index.htm  Ambas
sadors  H.E. Mr. Kenzo Oshima  H.E. Mr.
Takahiro Shinyo  H.E. Mr. Jiro Kodera
       Welcome to the website of the Permanent
Mission of Japan to the United Nations.Since
Japans entry into the UN in 1956, the Mission
has represented the Government of Japan in
conducting diplomacy to achieve its foreign
policy goals. As we celebrate our 50th
Anniversary as a Member State of the United
Nations this year, we reaffirm our commitment to
remain deeply involved in the UNs efforts to
ensure peace and stability throughout the
world.