This is the first book I have read which deals exlusively with Japan in the First World War. First of all, this book does not deal extensively with Japan as a combatant. So, if you are looking for something in the way of Japan's combat role in the war, this is not the book. However, if you are interested is how Japan used the war for opportunistic expansion, foreign policy develolpment and internal politics...this is the book for you. While the topics I just mentioned may sound dry, the book is actually quite engaging.

The primary focus is the conflict for power between internal forces seeking to establish a democracy, and those seeking to promote arms, empire and oligarchy. It is interesting to watch these two factions ebb and flow back and forth during WWI and into post-WWI. The books continues beyond the post-WWI period seeking to explain what led to Japanese agression in the 1930s, leading to WWII.

This is not just a study of Japan in WWI, but a look into the national and international politics and policies of Japan leading to WWII. I recommend this book for those interested in diplomacy, politics and WWI. One thing, pay attentions to names. Sometimes the Japanses names became a bit confusing for me. ( )

The point of this study is to consider how an independent Japanese foreign policy might function, as Dickinson suspects that the chronic question of Modern Japan, who are we really?, is about to be reopened. Besides being a detailed examination about how the pro-German Japanese military leadership was out-maneuvered by the pro-British foreign minister, which is quite interesting in and of itself, I was also surprised to discover that Social Darwinism was a serious influence on the the Japanese leadership class. ( )