Phil in SF reviewed Judgment at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass
Thorough and critical
5 stars
The earlier parts of the book cover the progress of the war, focusing on the situations that would be the subject of the Tokyo trial. Then the book moves to the machinations behind the scenes that set up the trial, decided how it would be run, and who would judge. Particularly interesting was the thinking and politicking behind the decision not to prosecute Emperor Hirohito. However, as the trial progresses it is explained that prosecutors, defendants, and judges alike also wanted to avoid blaming Hirohito for the war, which led to some very awkward exchanges throughout the trial. What was never explained is why the prosecution wanted to maintain the fiction that Hirohito was tricked into the war by war-loving generals, rather than simply acknowledging that it was a political decision or in the alternative, simply noting that prosecuting him would be difficult. I'm sure the powers that be had …
The earlier parts of the book cover the progress of the war, focusing on the situations that would be the subject of the Tokyo trial. Then the book moves to the machinations behind the scenes that set up the trial, decided how it would be run, and who would judge. Particularly interesting was the thinking and politicking behind the decision not to prosecute Emperor Hirohito. However, as the trial progresses it is explained that prosecutors, defendants, and judges alike also wanted to avoid blaming Hirohito for the war, which led to some very awkward exchanges throughout the trial. What was never explained is why the prosecution wanted to maintain the fiction that Hirohito was tricked into the war by war-loving generals, rather than simply acknowledging that it was a political decision or in the alternative, simply noting that prosecuting him would be difficult. I'm sure the powers that be had reasons that made sense to themselves, but I came away from the book not understanding that choice. After an exhaustive recounting of the trial from the perspectives of nearly everyone involved, the book gives a few chapters to the aftermath, including a long epilogue on the legacy of the trial in some of the major countries that were involved (the US, China, Japan, and Russia).
Crucially, throughout the book, the author does not spare anyone from criticism. Every country involved comes under the microscope, and none escapes blemish. Everyone from Truman to MacArthur has their faults exposed. Perhaps the only person involved to escape with his honor intact is Mei Ruao, the American educated Chinese judge. During the war, he experienced the Japanese bombing his city firsthand. After the war, he threw in with the Communists rather than accept exile in Taiwan. At first lauded, he was denounced during the Cultural Revolution, and then had his reputation posthumously restored by the Chinese Communist Party.
Be forewarned though, that not only is the book long, but many parts are repetitive. The book repeats descriptions of many episodes with the same wording and even the same quotes. A minor quibble, however.