The Sanity of Imperial Japan: How the Threat of Extinction Simplifies the Decision for War

Publisher Marketing: History chastises Japan for its violent and antagonistic imperialism throughout the early and mid-20th centuries; levying upon it sole responsibility for the callous waste of life, property, and sovereignty. With little comprehension of what drove a modern, industrialized nation to such radical extremes, it is commonly assumed that Imperial Japan was simply focused on acquiring material resources and territory to fuel its militarism and ambitions of dominating the Far East. Less frequently respected and analyzed were the threats to its national identity; access to equal economic privilege; ability to provide basic resources for its exploding population; and the right to peaceful expansion. To the Imperial Japanese Government, these were not simply means to a better, more prosperous nation. Dominance in these domains was essential to existence; loss of them was as an existential hazard. Rationalizing Imperial Japan's seemingly irrational decision to thrust itself into perpetual conflict can be accomplished by the application of particular biological and social science theories; namely the Inclusive Fitness Logic and Adaptive Infrastructure. Analysis through these lenses shows the simplicity and inevitability of Imperial Japan's adoption of extreme nationalism and aggression.