In 1937, the Kokutai No Hongi (Cardinal Principles of the National Entity of Japan), the Ministry of Education published a series of ideals that provided the definition of Japanese cultural values and a fundamentals. This publication defined the national essence, or identity, of Japan in terms of loyalty to the Emperor, subjugation of the individual to the State, filial faithfulness within one’s family, to the Emperor, and to the nation, harmony among all citizens, and martial spirit through bushido (Strayer, 1022). Adolf Hitler, historically viewed as one of the cruelest and immoral conquerors to have ever lived, would have undoubtedly held a mixed review of the Japanese document. Hitler would most likely have approved of the rejection
…show more content…
At this time of Western influence, Japan was moving to a democratic political system and its peoples were embracing individualistic ideals. Japanese and German policy was traditionally based on promoting shared-reverence for the emperor. In contrast, Western thought was based on the privileges, liberty and equality of individuals. Western society was characterized by housing peoples of separate individuals, independent of each other, who gave support to a ruler, but where no distinct personal relationship uniting the two exists. Hitler, in contrast, was a key supporter of authoritarian power of the State. He expressed this support in his manifesto, Mein Kampf, by stating “the best constitution and the best form of government is that which makes it quite natural for the best brains to reach a position of dominant importance and the influence in the community” and “there are no decisions made by the majority vote, but only by responsible persons” (Strayer, …show more content…
This was seen in Empirical power and in a domineering Nazi Party. Both countries supported the ideal that the will of the individual is submissive to the will of the governing body. Japanese peoples believed that “offering our lives for the sake of the Emperor does not mean so called self-sacrifice, but the casting aside of our little selves to live under his august grace and the enhancing of the genuine life of the people of a State” (Strayer, 1022). Germany, under Hitler’s rule, was also supporting of an authoritarian government, with the denial of democracy in any form. Hitler’s philosophy, as described in Mein Kampf, set goals for the creation of a state that would preserve and protect the superior race, to prepare the peoples for racial struggle and to conquer and collonize territories. Hitler would have likely supported a majority of the principles expressed in Kokutai No Hongi, while questioning or outright rejecting some of the notions of assimilating with other “superior races.” Both countries supported repressive and authoritarian leaders, and denied the focus on the individual, as did both hold steadfast conceptions of their own racial purity and
At this time of Western influence, Japan was moving to a democratic political system and its peoples were embracing individualistic ideals. Japanese and German policy was traditionally based on promoting shared-reverence for the emperor. In contrast, Western thought was based on the privileges, liberty and equality of individuals. Western society was characterized by housing peoples of separate individuals, independent of each other, who gave support to a ruler, but where no distinct personal relationship uniting the two exists. Hitler, in contrast, was a key supporter of authoritarian power of the State. He expressed this support in his manifesto, Mein Kampf, by stating “the best constitution and the best form of government is that which makes it quite natural for the best brains to reach a position of dominant importance and the influence in the community” and “there are no decisions made by the majority vote, but only by responsible persons” (Strayer, …show more content…
This was seen in Empirical power and in a domineering Nazi Party. Both countries supported the ideal that the will of the individual is submissive to the will of the governing body. Japanese peoples believed that “offering our lives for the sake of the Emperor does not mean so called self-sacrifice, but the casting aside of our little selves to live under his august grace and the enhancing of the genuine life of the people of a State” (Strayer, 1022). Germany, under Hitler’s rule, was also supporting of an authoritarian government, with the denial of democracy in any form. Hitler’s philosophy, as described in Mein Kampf, set goals for the creation of a state that would preserve and protect the superior race, to prepare the peoples for racial struggle and to conquer and collonize territories. Hitler would have likely supported a majority of the principles expressed in Kokutai No Hongi, while questioning or outright rejecting some of the notions of assimilating with other “superior races.” Both countries supported repressive and authoritarian leaders, and denied the focus on the individual, as did both hold steadfast conceptions of their own racial purity and