Punishment: : Behind Japanese Military Brutality
Danny Orbach

Punishment presents an in-depth exploration into a disturbing question: Why and how did the Japanese Army, during WWII, descend into a vortex of unprecedented brutality, marked by atrocities such as murder, rape, arson, and looting? Many believe that such horrors distinguished it starkly from other military forces of the era, putting it in par with the notorious armies of Hitler and Stalin. Our narrative is not merely a recounting of events but a thought-provoking inquiry into the evolution of Japanese military ethics and brutality, introducing a cast of unforgettable characters and explored through a long-term perspective.

This book will explore the historical evolution of war morality, tracing the complex development of the laws of war in the context of modern Japanese history. We will examine pivotal questions that are key to understanding this transformation: Whom was it permissible to kill in war, and why? How did the treatment of enemy civilians by the Japanese Army evolve across different periods, from the rainforests of aboriginal Taiwan in 1874 to the urban slums of Manila in 1945? Additionally, we will investigate the influences behind these changes: Who were the advisors, jurists, generals, and experts who played roles in shaping this trajectory, for better or worse, and the soldiers who played their part in the drama? To what extent did the enduring legacy of samurai culture and the incorporation of Western military ideologies influence the actions of Japanese soldiers? Most critically, we aim to identify if there was a specific turning point that escalated the Imperial Army's brutality towards civilians and, if so, understand why it occurred.

Punishment: Behind Japanese Military Brutality is envisioned as more than a historical account; it is an introspective journey into the factors that sculpt military conduct and ethical boundaries, seeking a new explanation for wartime horrors in East Asia and beyond.