ABSTRACT
The defeat in World War II inflicted a crushing blow on the Japanese people’s worldview. Since childhood they had been taught the uniqueness, the superiority, the invincibility of Japan; the godlike sanctity of the benevolent, holy emperor living high above the clouds; the importance of self-denial and self-sacrifice for the good of the nation; the honor of dying for the glory of Japan and of the emperor; the social hierarchy and gender discrimination as a natural order of things; the wisdom and superiority of the ruling elite; the almighty power of the military, government officials, and police; and the virtue of being obedient, submissive, and deferential to those above. All of these beliefs and values were shattered by the war. The people were reduced to ground zero of the moral, intellectual, and spiritual life. What counted was to stay alive, find enough food to eat, find a place to live, and to rely on the assistance of family, relatives, and friends. They learned that Americans, who they had been led to believe were “foreign devils,” were not vicious animals but human beings, many of whom gave chewing gum and chocolate bars to children.
