Japanese Colonial Rule and the Allied Powers Essay

Introduction

It is paramount to note that colonialism is an interesting topic that has been actively discussed by scientists over the last few years. It is necessary to mention that currently there is no consensus on several subjects, and it frequently leads to numerous misunderstandings. It needs to be said that I disagree with the point of view that Japanese colonists were only exploitive, and I want to argue with the statement that the Allied Powers were merely trying to make sure that colonies are liberated.

Japanese Colonial Rule

For example, it is imperative to note that the population of Korea had to deal with numerous issues before the country was colonized by Japan. The main problem that should not be disregarded is that many individuals were not properly educated and lacked the necessary knowledge, and colonists tried to address this issue. However, many believe that the reason behind the measures that were taken was to discipline the population. On the other hand, aspects that are related to modernity should not be overlooked, and it is evident that this approach had several positive sides.

Another significant factor that should be noted is that many individuals have voiced their opinions that the issue of racism was not critical during the last years of colonization, and equality was almost achieved. Fujitani states that the establishment of institutions that were focused on the provision of healthcare services was also essential, and the number of people that benefited is astounding.¹ However, one may think that it was just a necessity. It is hard to argue with the fact that it was not an easy task to forget years of brutality and unfair treatment, but it needs to be said that exploitation was not a single goal that the Japanese tried to achieve. Another core aspect that needs to be mentioned is that they also played a critical role in the British fight against nationalists in Indonesia.

Roadnight suggests that the fact that Japanese people have offered support to the second party is crucial, and it indicates that they had other reasons for their actions other than exploitation.² It needs to be said that it is extremely likely that they tried to assist because they had similar views, and believed that British people would limit their freedom. Another critical factor that should not be disregarded is that stories about the brutality of the Japanese were intentionally promoted to increase the level of hatred, but the fact that other countries were also incredibly abusive needs to be mentioned.

The Allied Powers

It needs to be said that it is clear that the Allied Powers had many objectives, and were not solely trying to allow colonized nations to be free. A case of Americanization in Okinawa can be used as an example. One of the most significant aspects that should not be overlooked is that the U.S. government has decided to build numerous military installations on the territory of an island. Tobe argues that such an approach goes against the idea that they tried to promote freedom, and they took advantage of the situation to increase their power in the area.³ Another critical factor that should not be disregarded is that such a relationship can be described as paternalism. The issue that is worth noting is that it made the region incredibly dependent on The United States, and it has lead to numerous difficulties and severe complications.

It needs to be said that such aspects as the global economy and the threat of the Soviet empire were also taken into account. For example, Lee suggests that the Marshall Plan was also beneficial for The United States because it would address the issue that is related to trade barriers, and would increase the accessibility of American products.⁴ Another core issue that should not be overlooked is that the U.S. military has forced South Korean women to participate in sexual activities because they had no other choice. Moon states that it was used as a way to control soldiers.⁵ It needs to be said that such actions are unacceptable, and they just took advantage of the fact that the population was incredibly impoverished and had no control over the situation. The presence of racism and discrimination was also an enormous problem, and racial slurs were used even by authorities.

It is imperative to note that such an environment does not support freedom, and only leads to significant tension and animosity. It needs to be said that soldiers believed that access to women is something that they are entitled to, and it is quite evident that they were treated unfairly and discriminated against. On the other hand, the authorities tried to take necessary measures to make sure that individuals understand that such behavior is not acceptable. However, it is evident that it was not enough, and they still lacked the understanding of differences between cultures and traditions. The situation that occurred when British people gained control over Hong Kong Island in 1842 can also be used as an example. First of all, it is necessary to mention that the primary reason for this move was questionable, and the way the government acted may not be described as unambiguous.

It is paramount to say that unfair treatment that Chinese people had to deal with should not be disregarded, and the number of casualties is astounding. The fact that such tools as tear gas and riot guns were used it especially worrying and unreasonable. Klein suggests that the primary issue is that they tried to punish individuals for behavior that is perceived as anti-British.⁶ It needs to be said that such a course of action should not be taken by a country that tries to promote freedom. British were not determined to promote democracy, and it was simply a way to demonstrate the power and the resources that are available. The core issue is that even a small number of instances of unfair treatment should not be overlooked. This part of history may never be forgotten.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is imperative to note that it is evident that Japanese colonizers were extremely exploitive, but it cannot be said that they only tried to exploit other people, and they had many other critical goals. It is imperative to mention that it is not an easy task to achieve consensus on such topics, and numerous external and internal factors should be taken into account. Overall, it should be said that various pieces of evidence prove that these nations had many intentions, and their actions cannot be explained in just several sentences.

Bibliography

Fujitani, Takashi. Race for Empire: Koreans as Japanese and Japanese as Americans during World War II. Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 2011.

Klein, Richard. “The Tragedy of Hong Kong.” The Humanist 14, no. 1 (1997): 22-27.

Lee, Steven. Outposts of Empire: Korea, Vietnam, and the Origins of the Cold War in Asia, 1949-1954. Montreal, CA: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2011.

Moon, Seungsook. “Regulating Desire, Managing the Empire.” In Over There: Living with the U.S. Military Empire from World War Two to the Present, edited by Maria Höhn and Seungsook Moon, 39-77. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2010.

Roadnight, Andrew. “Sleeping With the Enemy: Britain, Japanese Troops and the Netherlands East Indies, 1945-1946.” History 87, no. 1 (2002): 245-268.

Tobe, Hideaki. “Military Bases and Modernity.” Transforming Anthropology 14, no. 1 (2006): 89-94.

Footnotes

1. Takashi Fujitani, Race for Empire: Koreans as Japanese and Japanese as Americans during World War II (Oakland, CA: University of California Press, 2011), 75.
2. Andrew Roadnight, “Sleeping With the Enemy: Britain, Japanese Troops and the Netherlands East Indies, 1945-1946,” History 87, no. 1 (2002): 266.
3. Hideaki Tobe, “Military Bases and Modernity,” Transforming Anthropology 14, no. 1 (2006): 89.
4. Steven Lee, Outposts of Empire: Korea, Vietnam, and the Origins of the Cold War in Asia, 1949-1954 (Montreal, CA: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2011), 9.
5. Seungsook Moon, “Regulating Desire, Managing the Empire,” In Over There: Living with the U.S. Military Empire from World War Two to the Present, ed. Maria Höhn and Seungsook Moon (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2010), 40.
6. Richard Klein, “The Tragedy of Hong Kong,” The Humanist 14, no. 1 (1997): 24.