Why Were the Japanese Army so Brutal
The Imperial Japanese Army had a reputation during and after World War II as being the most hated enemy the allied western forces had encountered. This partly stems from acts of brutality committed by the IJA that are both infamous and synonymous with the wars fought in Asia and the pacific, and partly because of their alien philosophies and attitudes which are deeply embedded in the psyche of the Japanese soldier and which were consequently demonstrated through out their involvement in World War II. This essay aims to explore the foundations of the Japanese army that the allied forces faced and identify examples of, and potential reasons why, the Japanese Army was so brutal during the Second World War.
The Imperial Japanese Army, or IJA as it is sometimes referred to, was created in the 1860’s during the Meiji Era, a time when Japan had begun to open herself to influences from the western world. During this time, the Restoration as it is known, the Samurai, one of Japan’s most symbolic and honoured traditions was eradicated. The abolition of the Samurai was part of a larger scale effort to reform the traditional ways of Japans feudal system and class structure. The hope was that this new way of distinguishing between classes would produce a united and powerful Japan. The Restoration displaced the Samurai and the effects of this displacement were strongly felt amongst those who resisted the change in their societal role. The Great Samurai Uprising of 1877 was fought and led by disaffected Samurai. To over come this displacement, all of the new IJA officers were former Samurai and the Imperial Army incorporated the values and codes of the Samurai into the army’s values and codes. So in effect, the early IJA was an army led by the most calculating, brutal and effective killers the country had on offer.
Another advantage of the Samurai leading the army was that their strict moral code of loyalty, obedience, courage and honour was transferred to a unified
The Imperial Japanese Army, or IJA as it is sometimes referred to, was created in the 1860’s during the Meiji Era, a time when Japan had begun to open herself to influences from the western world. During this time, the Restoration as it is known, the Samurai, one of Japan’s most symbolic and honoured traditions was eradicated. The abolition of the Samurai was part of a larger scale effort to reform the traditional ways of Japans feudal system and class structure. The hope was that this new way of distinguishing between classes would produce a united and powerful Japan. The Restoration displaced the Samurai and the effects of this displacement were strongly felt amongst those who resisted the change in their societal role. The Great Samurai Uprising of 1877 was fought and led by disaffected Samurai. To over come this displacement, all of the new IJA officers were former Samurai and the Imperial Army incorporated the values and codes of the Samurai into the army’s values and codes. So in effect, the early IJA was an army led by the most calculating, brutal and effective killers the country had on offer.
Another advantage of the Samurai leading the army was that their strict moral code of loyalty, obedience, courage and honour was transferred to a unified
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