Courses

In the aftermath of World War II, Japan lay in ruins—its cities flattened, its empire dismantled, and its people facing occupation and uncertainty. Within a generation, it had become a global economic power and a symbol of resilience. What made such a transformation possible, and how has it shaped Japan’s modern identity? This course follows Japan's postwar journey from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the sweeping reforms of the US occupation to the high-growth decades that made it a model of technology and consumer culture. Through novels, films, and popular representations of history, we’ll examine the contradictions of prosperity—debates over pacifism and the US alliance, student protest, and the evolving roles of women. We’ll conclude with Japan’s 21st-century challenges—stagnation, demographic change, and disaster—culminating in the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis and what it reveals about Japan’s enduring capacity for renewal.