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Disabled veterans and their families: daily life in Japan during WWII

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 April 2021

Toru Imajoh
Toru Imajoh*
Affiliation:
Economics, Hannan University, Matsubara, Japan
*
*Corresponding author. Email: imajoh@hannan-u.ac.jp
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Abstract

This study aimed to provide insight into the daily lives of disabled Japanese veterans and their families during World War II (WWII). After the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Japanese government expanded the conscription system in order to enable large-scale mobilization while providing comprehensive military support led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The top priority was to create mechanisms to direct disabled veterans into the home front, so-called Saiki hōkō. Even under the scheme, families of disabled veterans in farming villages during WWII had difficulty recovering their pre-war living standards. However, some households economically exceeded their prewar living standards as veterans returned to work while also receiving pensions and taking advantage of support from the government.

Keywords

Conscriptiondisabled veteransmilitary supportpensionSaiki hōkō 再起奉公standard of livingWorld War II
Type
Featured Essays on the History of Disability in Japan
Information
International Journal of Asian Studies , Volume 19 , Issue 1 , January 2022 , pp. 1 - 17
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

References

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Gōmurayakuba (a). Hi Shōwa 13 Nen Yori Shōwa 15 Nen ni Itaru Shōi Gunjin Kankei Tsuzuri Gōmura Yakuba (Gōmura Yakuba Monjo 10) 秘自昭和 13 年至昭和 15 年傷痍軍人関係綴郷村役場（郷村役場文書10）[Confidential: File Concerning Disabled Veterans from 1938 to 1940, Public Office of Gōmura (Document no. 10 in series of documents of Public Office of Gōmura)].Google Scholar
Gōmurayakuba (b). Hi Shōwa 16 nen yori Shōi gunjin kankei ikken Gōmura yakuba (Gōmura yakuba monjo 13) 秘自昭和 16 年傷痍軍人関係一件郷村役場（郷村役場文書 13） [Confidential: Cases Concerning Disabled Veterans from 1943, Public Office of Gōmura (Document no. 13 in series of documents of Public Office of Gōmura)].Google Scholar
Aoki, D. 青木 大吾 (1940). Gunji Engo no Riron to Jissai 軍事援護の理論と実際 (The Theory and Operation of Military Assistance). Tokyo: Nankōsha.Google Scholar
Fujiwara, A. 藤原 彰 (2001). Uejini Shita Eireitachi 餓死した英霊たち (The Spirits of Dead Soldiers who Starved to Death). Tokyo: Aokishoten.Google Scholar
Gunshi, J. 郡司 淳 (2004). Gunji Engo no Sekai: Guntai to Chiikishakai 軍事援護の世界−軍隊と地域社会 (The World of Military Support: The Army and Regional Community). Tokyo: Dōseisha.Google Scholar
Imajoh, T. 今城 徹 (2014). Senzenki nihon no gunjin onkyūseido 戦前期日本の軍人恩給制度 (The development of military pension in prewar Japan). Osaka Daigaku Keizaigaku (The Osaka University Economic Papers) 64(2), 87–104.Google Scholar
Katō, Y. 加藤 陽子 (1996). Chōheisei to Kindai Nihon 1868–1945 徴兵制と近代日本 1868–1945 (The Conscription in Modern Japan, 1868–1945). Tokyo: Yoshikawa Kōbunkan.Google Scholar
Kizu Sonshi Henshū Iinkai 木津村誌編集委員会 (ed.) (1986). Kizu sonshi 木津村誌 (The History of Kizumura). Kyoto: Kizu Rengō Kuchō.Google Scholar
Kōseishō 厚生省 (ed.) (1960). Kōseisyō 20nen shi 厚生省20年史 (The Twenties’ History of the Ministry of Health and Welfare). Tokyo: Kōsei Mondai Kenkyūkai.Google Scholar
Kuwata, E. 桑田 悦 and Maehara, T. 前原 透 (1982). Nihon no Sensō: Zukai to Dēta 日本の戦争−図解とデータ (The Japanese War: Instructions and Data). Tokyo: Harashobō.Google Scholar
Kuwata, R. 桑田 理吉 (1940). Kaisei Heiekihō to Kanrenhōki no Kaisetu 改正兵役法と関係法規の解説 (The Instructions of the Revised Military Service Act and Related Laws in Military Service). Ghifu: Seinōinsatushuppanbu.Google Scholar
Kyotofu 京都府 (ed.) (1937). Shōwa 10 nen Kyotofu tōkeisho: Dai 5 hen Shichōsonbetu Shuyōtōkei 昭和 10 年京都府統計書−第5編市町村別主要統計 (The Statistical Year Book Kyoto Prefecture 1935: Vol. 5 Essential Data at Municipal Level). Kyoto: Kyotofu Sōmubu Tōkeika.Google Scholar
Makimura, S. 牧村 進 and Tsujimura, Y. 辻村泰男 (eds.) (1942). Shōi gunjin Rōmu hodō 傷痍軍人労務輔導 (The Guidelines on Labor Management relating to Disabled Veterans). Tokyo: Tōyōshokan.Google Scholar
Naikaku Tōkeikyoku 内閣統計局 (ed.) (1937). Shōwa 10 nen Kokuseichōsa Hōkoku: Dai 2 kan Kyotofu 昭和 10 年国勢調査報告−第2巻府県別京都府 (The Report of the 1935 National Census: Vol. 2, Kyoto Prefecture). Tokyo: Tokyo Tōkei Kyōkai.Google Scholar
Nippon Shōigunjinkai 日本傷痍軍人会 (1967). Nippon shōigunjinkai 15 nenshi 日本傷痍軍人会15年史 (The Fifteen's History of The Japan Disabled Veterans Association). Tokyo: Disabled Veteran Hall.Google Scholar
Ōe, S. 大江志乃夫 (ed.) (1988). Shina Jihen Dai Tōwa Sensōkan dōin gaishi 支那事変大東亜戦争動員概史 (The History of Mobilization in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War). Tokyo: Fujishuppan.Google Scholar
Ōhama, T. 大濱徹也 and Ozawa, I. 小沢郁郎 (eds.) (1984). Teikoku Rikukaigun jiten 帝国陸海軍事典 (The Dictionary of the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy). Tokyo: Dōseisha.Google Scholar
Pennington, L. K. (2015). Casualties of History: Wounded Japanese Servicemen and the Second World War. US: Cornell University Press.Google Scholar
Pennington, L. K. (2020). “Wives for the Wounded: Marriage Mediation for Japanese Disabled Veterans during World War II.” Journal of Social History 53:3, pp. 667–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shōi Gunjin Hogo Taisaku Shingikai 傷痍軍人保護対策審議会 (1938). Shōi Gunjin Hogo Taisaku Shingikai Giji Roku Dai 1 Shū傷痍軍人保護対策審議会議事録第一輯 (The Minutes of the Advisory Council on Protection Measures for Disabled Veterans Vol. 1). Tokyo: Daiichi Insatsusho.Google Scholar
Sōrifu Onkyūkyoku 総理府恩給局 (ed.) (1964). Onkyū Seido Shi 恩給制度史 (The History of the State Pension in Japan). Tokyo: Ōkurashō Insatsu Kyoku.Google Scholar
Takayasu, M. 高安桃子 (2009). “Senjikaniokeru Shōigunjin Kekkonhogotaisaku: Shōigunjin to Sonotsuma ni Motomerareteitamono 戦時下における傷痍軍人結婚保護対策：傷痍軍人とその妻に求められていたもの (Measures to Assist in the Marriage of Disabled Soldiers in Wartime: The Role of the Japanese Disabled Soldier and His Wife).” Jiendā Shigaku (Gender History) 5, pp. 51–65.Google Scholar
Yui, T. 由井常彦 (1964). Chūshōkigyō Seisakuno Shiteki kenkyū 中小企業政策の史的研究 (The Historical Study of Small and Medium Enterprise Policy). Tokyo: Tōyōkeizaishimpōsha.Google Scholar