The Japanese Administration of Guam, 1941-1944: A Study of Occupation and Integration Policies, with Japanese Oral Histories

Another must have in a Pacific Library.

グアム島に関する戰記は多く出版されてゐるが、日本軍占領下の民政（軍政）については　そこで何が行はれてゐたのか、ほとんど知られてゐない。　　著者は　当時の文献、雑誌記事、統計資料、関係者の証言をもとに、第一次世界大戰による委任信託統治領經營から解きおこし、植民地朝鮮・臺灣に於ける皇民化教育實態等を引用しながら本書を書き上げてゐる。戰時下におけるグアム島の民政に留まらず大日本帝國の植民地政策、軍政・民政を知るための希有にして貴重な研究論文である。斯界の研究者のみならず、グアム島に関心をお持ちの方々に廣くお勧めの書である。

THE JAPANESE ADMINISTRATION OF GUAM: 1941-1944, by Wakako HiguchiThis book is not for your typical World War II buff, looking for an adrenalin rush, nor is it for those looking for a vicarious combat experience without actually being shot at. However, if you are a serious military historian and researcher, then you will want to read this book. It is not about the invasion and occupation of Guam, but more about the Japanese Navy Ministry's attempt to administer the island. Also, unlike most recent books published about World War II, this one is not a rehash of earlier works. It is well-researched and thoughtfully presented. It gives researcher and serious Pacific War historians insights into Japanese thinking that led to the eventual war with the United States and her allies, and Imperial Japan's efforts to reorder Asia and the Pacific free of Western colonialism. The author also shows how Japanese theory and practice failed to accomplish what it had set out to do. Obviously, we will never know if it could have succeeded had Japan won the war.The Appendices makes up roughly have of this book. However, I have to say the translated letters and documents as well as the translated oral histories found therein make for additional interesting and thought-provoking reading.