Agony of Choice: Matsuoka Yosuke in the Rise and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1880-1946 FROM THE PUBLISHER
Agony of Choice, the life of Japanese statesman and diplomat Matsuoka Yosuke, offers a vivid narrative of twentieth-century Japanese diplomatic history. Matsuoka was an American-educated Japanese foreign minister who became a vocal advocate for Japanese expansionism, echoing the America he so admired. His promotion of alliances and relationships with countries such as Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, however, not only led Japan to war with the United States, but also led to Matsuoka's involvement with and eventual indictment for atrocities committed during the war.
SYNOPSIS
Arguing that the policies that Matsuoko Yosuke pursued as Japan's foreign minister in 1940-41 were profoundly influential on the course of history for Japan and the United States, Lu (emeritus, history and Japanese studies, Bucknell U.) provides a biography of the American- educated Japanese official that focuses on the causes and development of the policies he pursued. Matsuoko's relationship with the U.S. is characterized as one of "love-hate" and his policies towards the United States are viewed as ill considered. His policies towards China are viewed with considerably more charity. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR
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