Introduction

Abstract

This book examines the culture of rebellion and resistance in the Imperial Japanese Army. Drawing on fifteen archives in four different countries, along with other sources such as letter collections, testimonies, police transcripts, court documents, diplomatic cables, historical newspapers, memoirs, and interviews, the book refutes the notion that Imperial Japanese soldiers were blindly and unconditionally obedient to authority. It presents evidence showing that the Imperial Japanese Army was arguably one of the most disobedient armed forces in modern history. Indeed, it was normal for Imperial Japanese soldiers to rebel, resist, assassinate, and conspire. The book traces Japan's history of military insubordination to bolster its argument that rebelliousness was an integral part of Japanese military life from the 1860s to the 1930s.