The Japanese Military

In the late Edo period, Japan saw the end of the Tokugawa. Bakufu brought about the Meiji-ishin or the Meiji Restoration which happened between 1866 and 1869. With this restoration, the Japanese form of government reverted to its Imperial administration with Emperor Meiji as ruler. He enforced a democracy all over Japan which broke down the social hierarchy, took away the lands owned by daimyos or feudal landlords, and opened Japan to trade after years of isolation from the world. 

Having an imperial government also meant a need for military expansion if it was to conquer the many territories, which it eventually did. Thus, it was in this period when the traditional warriors, the Samurai, were replaced by the neo-army that could withstand bullets and cannons by having the same kind of weaponry used by Europeans in expanding their power.

In the next years, the Japanese Army became a very resourceful, highly skilled and the most advanced defense force in the whole Asian region. Having acquired the skills and gun-power from the Americans, the French, and the Germans, plus the undeniable patriotism deeply ingrained in each Japanese Imperial soldier, it was able to conquer parts of China, Korea, Russia, and other parts of Asia.

The Japanese army was also known for its treatment of its prisoners of war. They were regarded as cruel and brutal. This brought about many enemies, that by the end of the 2nd World War, many countries were at war with Japan. The stronghold of the Japanese Army lasted only until August 1945 when the American Forces dropped an atomic bomb over Nagasaki on August 6, 1945 and Hiroshima three days later to effectively stop Japan’s movements. In the succeeding month, the Japanese Army was forced to surrender completely.

After the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army, the Japanese government renounced war as a means to resolve disagreements, and was stripped off of military and artillery power. Furthermore, schools which taught martial arts or combative sports were closed down and subjects as such were removed from the educational curriculum. However, the democratic government was still given privilege to have a defense military which only function was to defend, and not initiate battles. The Japanese Self Defense Army operated with minimum artillery power which was just enough to maintain peace and order in the country.