Editor: Seth Ford,
Fords@grinnell.edu

History Home Page

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I'd like to thank the members of the SEPC for their marvelous work both for the department and for the majors. An active and committed SEPC is an important ingredient in the success of our history department. We have the SEPC to thank for much of the work in organizing the fall and spring history picnics, trivial pursuits challenges, and other activities for the majors.

This year's SEPC played a crucial part in two processes: the personnel review of a member of the history faculty and the search for an early Americanist and a modern Americanist. The SEPC interviewed the candidates (and in the process gave them a good idea of what our history majors are like), attended their job talks, and evaluated them. Our search was a long and difficult one, but I think that we made two very good appointments, thanks in part to our SEPC.

Professor Yue-him Tam addressed the subject of historical revisionism in Japanese history textbooks in reference to Japan's role in World War II. Professor Tam informed his audience that the Japanese government found their history textbooks too perverse and too negative after they regained control over them from U.S. authorities in the 1970's.

The Japanese authorities mandated a revision of history textbooks, and they desired that the books take a more neutral stance to Japanese conduct just prior and during World War II. Although the government only issues curriculum guidelines and the choice of history textbooks is up to the educational authorities, government screening officers issue powerful, anonymous verbal critiques that can put the writers and the publishers out of business if they stray too far from those guidelines.

Professor Tam expressed concern that the current historical revisionist trend in Japan contributes to a mindset of Japanese victimization during World War II. According to the revisionist train of thought, a small group of military leaders led the Japanese people astray, and these leaders were forced into fighting against the U.S. The U.S. provoked the Japanese military leaders by suffocating the Japanese lifeline to raw materials. Revisionist thought also points an accusing finger at possible U.S. awareness of an attack on Pearl Harbor.

Tam also stated that the recent surge in historical revisionism is a result of Japanese economic might, which has increased national pride. He then demonstrated the difficulty of distinguishing between the use and abuse of history in the educational textbooks of Japan. The debate over historical revisionism in Japan can only continue as Japan struggles to reconcile its past with its resurgent leadership in Asia.