Abstract

Our Record in Japan

This article focuses on the books "Japan Diary," by Mark Gayn and "The Allied Occupation of Japan," by Edwin M. Martin. These two books deal with the same country in the same period. The word Japan appears in the title of both. Otherwise they have little in common. It is hard at times to believe that they deal with the same subject. Their purpose, it is true, differs. Mr. Martin was formerly chief of Occupied Area Economic Affairs in the State Department and expressly disclaims any intention of appraising the achievements of the occupation. He contents himself with staling its officially announced purposes and the measures taken to realize them. Mr. Gayn on the other hand is avowedly critical. He went to Japan as a correspondent soon after the surrender, stayed there for two years, with an interval in Korea, and in this volume, in diary form, passes judgment.