Literacy and script reform in occupation Japan : reading between the lines
This book challenges the widespread belief that overzealous Americans forced unnecessary script reforms on an unprepared, unenthusiastic, but helpless Japan during the Occupation. Unger presents neglected historical evidence showing that the reforms implemented from 1946 to 1959 were both necessary and moderate. Although the United States Education Mission of 1946 recommended that the Japanese give serious consideration to the introduction of alphabetic writing, key American officials in the Civil Information and Education Section of GHQ/SCAP delayed and effectively killed action on this recom
1 online resource (x, 176 pages) : illustrations
9780195356380, 9786610533695, 9781280533693, 0195356381, 6610533695, 1280533692
252604665
Transcription and Use of Japanese Words; 1. Introduction: Dreamers or Realists?; 2. Literacy in Japan up to 1945; 3. Script Reform from Within; 4. SCAP Steps In; 5. The Romaji Education Experiment; 6. Conclusion: The Most Literate Nation on Earth?; Appendix A: Halpern's Overview of the Romanization Issue; Appendix B: Trainor's Account of the Romaji Education Experiment; Appendix C: Calhoun's Key Memoranda on the Experiment's Results; Appendix D: Remarks on Archival Sources; Glossary of Japanese Terms; Notes; References; Index
English