Publication Date:
2016
abstract:
Oda Makoto’s twofold dissent: pacifism as a refutation of victimism.
The aim of this article is to analyze Oda Makoto’s role in the peace debate that unfolded in postwar Japan. Oda (1932-2007) was a prolific novelist, an influential exponent of peace thought (heiwa no shisō) as well as the founding father of the Beheiren peace movement. Through an analysis of the work Heiwa no rinri to ronri (1966) and other seminal essays, this paper will explore the twofold dissent that Oda expressed through its opposition to the Vietnam War. Oda’s peace thought constituted a powerful contestation of the establishment views advocating Japan’s alignment with the United States. At the same time, his refutation of the “victimism” (higaisha ishiki) underpinning the anti-Vietnam War protests provided a criticism of the narratives that had so far dominated the Japanese peace debate.
The aim of this article is to analyze Oda Makoto’s role in the peace debate that unfolded in postwar Japan. Oda (1932-2007) was a prolific novelist, an influential exponent of peace thought (heiwa no shisō) as well as the founding father of the Beheiren peace movement. Through an analysis of the work Heiwa no rinri to ronri (1966) and other seminal essays, this paper will explore the twofold dissent that Oda expressed through its opposition to the Vietnam War. Oda’s peace thought constituted a powerful contestation of the establishment views advocating Japan’s alignment with the United States. At the same time, his refutation of the “victimism” (higaisha ishiki) underpinning the anti-Vietnam War protests provided a criticism of the narratives that had so far dominated the Japanese peace debate.
Iris type:
2.1 Contributo in volume (Capitolo o Saggio)
Keywords:
pacifismo; storia intellettuale del Giappone postbellico; Oda Makoto.
List of contributors:
Lanna, Noemi
Book title:
Il dissenso in Giappone. La critica al potere in testi antichi e moderni.