Japan's Imperial Conspiracy
Encyclopedia
Japan's Imperial Conspiracy is a nonfiction historical work by David Bergamini
. Its subject is the role of Japanese elites in promoting Japanese imperialism and the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
; in particular, it examines the role of Crown Prince and Emperor Hirohito in the execution of Japan's Imperial conquest, and his role in postwar Japanese society.
The book concludes that the conventional conclusion of historical analyses - that the Imperial household was largely powerless and not culpable or particularly supportive of the imperial adventures, blame for which is assigned to military elites - is mistaken. Instead, it asserts that the internal political fighting necessary to gain support for imperialism was a long-premeditated plan supported by all sectors of the elite and especially by members of the imperial family.
The reason given as to why the American occupiers
allowed the continuation of the institution of the Emperor is that its support was sought for the purposes of fighting Communism
and the nearby Soviet Russia
. Bergamini draws his conclusion from a variety of sources but gives prominence to his interpretation of various diaries kept by involved figures. His conclusions have not generally been accepted and his data and sources have been questioned.
simply Colonization Academy, which Bergamini alleged was founded in 1921, was a think tank
dedicated to future conquest plans on the Asian Mainland, and their political implications. It had the patronage of Crown Prince Hirohito
and was set up on land that had once been the Imperial Meteorological Observatory.
Bergamini describes the Institute as a secret indoctrination
center (protected by extensive security measures) for select younger sons, of politicians, Japanese nobility and militarist supporters, who desired to participate in fulfilling the dreams of Imperial conquest harbored among elements of Japan's aristocracy. The first draft of Japanese conquest plans for world domination were traced by Bergamini to the Institute. Academics have generally considered Bergamini's research of his original sources to be contaminated by conspiracy theories, although his ideas have not entirely fallen out of circulation.
According to Bergamini's theory, graduates of this ultrasecret 'political' think tank, recruited only by special invitation from rightwing circles, continued its 'political' and 'military' practice in the occupation zones in Manchuria
. From this 'school' began the political and strategic debate between the Strike North Group (the Army group, pro-war against Soviet Siberia
) and the Strike South Group (the Navy group concerned with the Chinese lands and especially Southeast Asia).
The Director and principal academic adviser was Shūmei Ōkawa, with Mitsuru Toyama another 'professor' in the center. Both were adherents to the Black Dragon Society
. This center was closed in 1945 by the Allied authorities.
David Bergamini
David Bergamini , was an American author who wrote books on 20th century history and popular science, notably mathematics...
. Its subject is the role of Japanese elites in promoting Japanese imperialism and the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was a concept created and promulgated during the Shōwa era by the government and military of the Empire of Japan. It represented the desire to create a self-sufficient "bloc of Asian nations led by the Japanese and free of Western powers"...
; in particular, it examines the role of Crown Prince and Emperor Hirohito in the execution of Japan's Imperial conquest, and his role in postwar Japanese society.
The book concludes that the conventional conclusion of historical analyses - that the Imperial household was largely powerless and not culpable or particularly supportive of the imperial adventures, blame for which is assigned to military elites - is mistaken. Instead, it asserts that the internal political fighting necessary to gain support for imperialism was a long-premeditated plan supported by all sectors of the elite and especially by members of the imperial family.
The reason given as to why the American occupiers
Occupied Japan
At the end of World War II, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions also from Australia, India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. This foreign presence marked the first time in its history that the island nation had been occupied by a foreign power...
allowed the continuation of the institution of the Emperor is that its support was sought for the purposes of fighting Communism
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
and the nearby Soviet Russia
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic , commonly referred to as Soviet Russia, Bolshevik Russia, or simply Russia, was the largest, most populous and economically developed republic in the former Soviet Union....
. Bergamini draws his conclusion from a variety of sources but gives prominence to his interpretation of various diaries kept by involved figures. His conclusions have not generally been accepted and his data and sources have been questioned.
Social Troubles Institute
The Social Troubles Institute, Social Troubles Research Center orsimply Colonization Academy, which Bergamini alleged was founded in 1921, was a think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
dedicated to future conquest plans on the Asian Mainland, and their political implications. It had the patronage of Crown Prince Hirohito
Hirohito
, posthumously in Japan officially called Emperor Shōwa or , was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from December 25, 1926, until his death in 1989. Although better known outside of Japan by his personal name Hirohito, in Japan he is now referred to...
and was set up on land that had once been the Imperial Meteorological Observatory.
Bergamini describes the Institute as a secret indoctrination
Indoctrination
Indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology . It is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned...
center (protected by extensive security measures) for select younger sons, of politicians, Japanese nobility and militarist supporters, who desired to participate in fulfilling the dreams of Imperial conquest harbored among elements of Japan's aristocracy. The first draft of Japanese conquest plans for world domination were traced by Bergamini to the Institute. Academics have generally considered Bergamini's research of his original sources to be contaminated by conspiracy theories, although his ideas have not entirely fallen out of circulation.
According to Bergamini's theory, graduates of this ultrasecret 'political' think tank, recruited only by special invitation from rightwing circles, continued its 'political' and 'military' practice in the occupation zones in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
. From this 'school' began the political and strategic debate between the Strike North Group (the Army group, pro-war against Soviet Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
) and the Strike South Group (the Navy group concerned with the Chinese lands and especially Southeast Asia).
The Director and principal academic adviser was Shūmei Ōkawa, with Mitsuru Toyama another 'professor' in the center. Both were adherents to the Black Dragon Society
Black Dragon Society
The was a prominent paramilitary, ultranationalist right-wing group in Japan.-History:The Kokuryūkai was founded in 1901 by Uchida Ryohei, and was descended from the Genyōsha. Its name is derived from the Amur River, called Heilongjiang or "Black Dragon River" in Chinese , read as Kokuryū-kō in...
. This center was closed in 1945 by the Allied authorities.