Italy and Japan have had a positive relationship for almost all of time with no major conflicts coming up. They’ve allied in both World Wars and supported each other while trying to pass various international accords. While Italy and Japan seem like they have no similarities, they share a unique time in history where fascist governments ruled them both. Fascism is a form of far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society. Throughout the paper, we will discuss how fascism in Italy and Japan can be looked at from many different viewpoints, including the government, the military, and the education system. In order to compare the two countries, it is important to first look at both of their government structures. Seeing how both fascist governments rose to power will help see how Italy and Japan were in similar situations. The military strategy and actions changed for both Italy and Japan. They became much more imperialistic which caused many battles and invasions. Also, both governments had to spread their beliefs through the education system. Looking at youth groups, sports leagues, and other organizations will show how both countries were able to distribute their ideas to their people. Italy and Japan both went through a period of fascism which can be analyzed through the education system, the military, and the government.

During the Paris Peace Conference after WWI, the Japanese attempted to pass the Racial Equality Clause, which failed, and Italy was not granted all of the land they were promised in the Treaty of London. Following this, both nations felt as if they’d been betrayed by the rest of the world. In Japan, this led to a strong rise in nationalism and a hatred for the western world which culminated in the election of Hirohito as emperor. In Italy, this led to a rise of fascist militias led by Benito Mussolini. Over the next 3 years, these militias led various attacks across Italy until the King of Italy appointed Mussolini as the prime minister in 1922. He used his new position to quickly appoint fascist party members to every branch of government, and used the rest of his time in office to dismantle constitutional safeguards and the constitution itself, allowing him complete control of the country. After their defeat at the end of WWII, both governments were overturned and replaced.

    Under the rule of fascist governments, both nations led intense imperialistic campaigns. In 1923, Mussolini’s first year as prime minister, Italy invaded the island of Corfu in response to the murder of four Italian citizens. Italy continued to build its military power in Libya until 1935 when they invaded Ethiopia. In 1936, Italy had taken control of the country and proclaimed the King the Emperor of Ethiopia. In 1939, Italy invaded Albania and took control of the country. In WWII, Italy allied with Germany and aided in their various military campaigns. The Japanese also led many campaigns starting with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. The Japanese used this invasion to continue their conquest until they had fully occupied Indochina. During the war, Japan had also gained control of the Philippines, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and Burma. Japan had also proven effective at controlling allied communications with Australia and had won naval battles against the British Royal Navy. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in response to the American’s rejection of a Japanese request to meet with President Roosevelt. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, America entered the war and Japan surrendered in 1945, shortly before the end of the war. Following the war, both Italy and Japan lost the majority of their colonial gains.

Fascist ideologies were spread to younger generations through the education system. The fascist governments wanted complete control of what the youth was going to think. The first minister of education in Italy, Giovanni Gentile, recommended that “education policy should focus on indoctrination of students into Fascism and to educate youth to respect and be obedient to authority.” In addition to being members of the National Fascist Party, school teachers had to take an oath, promising to be loyal to fascist ideas. In order to completely take command of the education system, the fascist government took control of all textbooks. After completing their goal of creating a low illiteracy and dropout rate, they then copied Nazi Germany in trying to make all Italians physically healthy. This want for fit citizens led to the creation of sports leagues. These leagues were meant “to produce great athletes who will achieve great sport successes for the nation and Fascism.” There were also youth groups and other organizations that the government would set up to raise public opinion and further indoctrinate the people. Fascist Japan promoted physical activity as well. They militarized school athletics in order to train future soldiers. These physical activities included many military drills and games. In addition, all students had to train themselves in judo or kendo, which would “mold the ideal of Bushido (samurai spirit), which could serve for the patriotic spirit and to help understand the origin of the nation and the dignity of the national constitution. The education system highlighted obedience and loyalty to the Emperor, self-sacrifice, and Nationalism. By using the education system to spread their beliefs, fascism was able to grow in both Italy and Japan, preparing future generations to continue this ultranationalistic viewpoint.

While the rise of fascism was different for Italy and Japan, they were both rooted in the feeling that they had been betrayed by the rest of the allied world. The refusal to grant Italy the land that it had been promised years earlier in the Treaty of London and the rejection of the racial equality clause made both nations feel like the option of peace had been exhausted and that violence was the only option remaining. Both governments were replaced by leaders who embodied that national anger and attempted to suppress any opposition. Their military campaigns were imperialistic and focused on conquering as much territory as possible. Both education systems forced their students to be devoted to fascism, preparing future generations with that same ideology. This joint feeling shows how two countries who are so disconnected by geography, can be so politically connected.