Japan's Aging Peace - (Contemporary Asia in the World) by Tom Phuong Le (Paperback)

Japan's Aging Peace is a groundbreaking book that offers a novel explanation for Japan's reluctance to remilitarize, despite its post-war constitution's commitment to renouncing aggressive warfare.

Tom Phuong Le challenges the simple opposition between militarism and pacifism, arguing that Japanese security discourse should be understood in terms of "multiple militarisms." He highlights how factors such as aging and declining populations, gender inequality, and changing perceptions of security across generations have played crucial roles in shaping Japan's security policy. Le draws on interviews with policy makers, military personnel, atomic bomb survivors, museum coordinators, grassroots activists, and other stakeholders, as well as analysis of peace museums and social movements.

The book provides new insights for scholars of Asian politics, international relations, and Japanese foreign policy, and challenges the presumption in international relations scholarship that states must pursue the use of force or be punished. Japan's Aging Peace is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding Japan's unique approach to security and its implications for the region and the world.

With its innovative analysis and comprehensive scope, this book is sure to be a game-changer in the field of international relations and Japanese studies.