Japan, the Emperor and the Army

Grounded in the mind-boggling fact that Japan is still effectively living under the rules established by the post–World War II American occupation, Kenichi Watanabe's fascinating documentary explores the continued relevance of the democratic constitution imposed by Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the U.S. government, including the now controversial Article 9, which prohibits Japan from waging war or maintaining a standing army. Watanabe combines vintage footage and interviews with historians, lawyers, politicians, and veterans to sketch a prismatic history of Japan's often misunderstood postwar political state, from MacArthur's dominating presence to Emperor Hirohito's “humanization” before his own people (exemplified by the unprecedented radio broadcast in which he announced Japan's surrender). One astonishing segment illustrates how Japan's political apparatus was created: MacArthur had ordered Japanese officials to have a comprehensive constitution written within seven days, and the final product was a pastiche of democratic charters from various countries (the “wisdom of the world,” as one interviewee describes it). Charting the development of Japan's ever-growing “self-defense” force, Watanabe captures a critical transitional moment and eventually leads viewers to the state of Article 9 in the 21st century, explaining how the recent surge in Japanese nationalism is specifically directed at gaining independence from the passage's pacifist principles. Will Article 9 be abolished? And what are the future implications of a militarized Japan? Informative and thought-provoking, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)