Political Hostilities and the Ideas That Cause Them in Michio Takeyama's Harp of Burma

概要

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This study deals with Michio Takeyama's Harp of Burma (Biruma no Tategoto) translated into English in 1966; first published in book form in Japanese in 1948. Although this story is of war, Takeyama does not really talk about fighting but succeeds in making his reader question all political hostilities and the ideologies that cause them. In this paper I attempt to describe the different belief systems that reached Japan's shores from other parts of Asia which combined with aspects of Japanese culture, became powerful weapons in the social conditioning and waging of psychological warfare practiced by themilitaristic government in the years leading up to and throughout the Second World War. Although Takeyama's message in Harp of Burma was addressed to the people of Japan it is relevant to citizens of all nations. All nationals are responsible for the decisions and behaviour of their governments and leaders. That responsibility requires that we understand how political ideologies work to deny the conscience of the individual.