Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II

Using specific examples from Dower’s book, describe the complex perception of the Japanese as both aggressors and victims in the framework of that country’s early postwar period.

Why is quantifying war, especially human casualties, a difficult and imperfect task, according to the author? You may examine this question in a comparative framework by bringing in additional information about World War II in the European theater or other relevant military conflicts.

Dower broadly describes the complex relationship between the conquerors (the US) and the conquered (Japan) in terms of gender and sexuality in the neocolonial framework. Use specific examples from this book to explain Dower’s approach.