6th Studium Generale by Prof. Till Weber (The University of the Ryukyus)

Japan as an Asian superpower – Rise and fall 1912-1945
Lecture by Prof. Till Weber, OIST 16th December, 2025

After Emperor Meiji´s long reign from 1868 to 1912, Japan was Asia´s most developed country, full of lust for expansion, but also unsolved internal conflicts between modernity and tradition.

Joining the club of Western colonial powers still in the 19th century originally had been a major tool to avoid Japan´s own colonial subjection. After victories against China (1895), Russia (1905) and WW1 central powers (1914/18) Japan increased its foothold in China and in the Pacific, exploiting resources using slogans such as “Asia to the Asians”.

The short, but remarkable era of “Taisho Democracy” (1912-1926) brought progressive ideas, some new social standards, and a sophisticated urban lifestyle to Japan´s civil elites. However, during the subsequent Era of Emperor Showa an old curse caught up with Japan – seemingly it was impossible to stem the rise of ever more radical military officers who dominated politics and society from the later 1930´s. Failed coups d´état and successful assassinations, an ever increasing militarization and the spread of illiberal, “patriotic”, and racist ideas shaped Japan´s own “fascism” or its “fascistoid system” – or was it just Japan´s unique brand of totalitarism? Historians have fiercely debated this question.

Japan´s World War Two began in 1931 with large-scale fighting in China and ended only in 1945 after the destruction of Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. The lecture will look at the development of Japan´s society and economy, and also discuss political ideas and factors that led to the ultimate fall of Japan´s Empire, while also exploring “roads not taken” – often tragically misguided decisions with serious consequences.

Prof. Till Weber

Professor at German Department, Kokusai Gengo Bunka Programme, Faculty of Global and Regional Studies, The University of the Ryukyus

[Zoom link]

https://oist.zoom.us/j/95108000690?pwd=Gk7dzSgyH2j0F4VwW1Kr4lydZyHv2v.1

Meeting ID : 951 0800 0690
Pass Code : 345424

[Contact information]

Koharu Komiyama (Research Unit Administrator of Kuhn Unit)
koharu.komiyama@oist.jp