Title: Whose Back Was Stabbed? FDR’s Secret War On Japan
Author: Koichi Mera
Publisher: Hamilton Books
ISBN: 978-0761868958
Pages: 220
Genre: History/Politics & Government
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina
Author Interview with Koichi Mera
HBR: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from Japan, and after graduating from the University of Tokyo, studied at Princeton University and Harvard University, taught at Harvard, Tsukuba University, and University of Southern California. Now, I am retired and promoting justice in the world.
HBR: What was the inspiration behind your book, “Whose Back Was Stabbed”?
After the defeat of Japan at the WWII, Japan has been labeled as an aggressor. However, by reviewing the history, it has made clear that Japan was a victim of aggressive nations. The purpose of the book is to clear the crimes that many historians are attributing to Japan.
HBR: What themes or messages do you hope readers take away from you novel?
First, it is not a novel, but a review of the history. I am hoping that the true perpetrator of WWII in Asia is not Japan, but FDR, the president of the United States at the time.
HBR: When doing research into the history behind Japan entering WWII and the events that led to the war itself, what was one thing that shocked you above everything else?
FDR was preparing the war with Japan since 1940. He had prepared for it in many ways. This book shows the numerous preparatory steps he had taken.
HBR: In your novel, you outline several different events that preceded the war that led to the loss of life we saw during that time. What event do you think in particular could have prevented the war (at least from the viewpoint of Japan and the United States), from occurring if it hadn’t happened, or do you think the events and manipulation happening behind the scenes were too powerful to stop, and this was an inevitable outcome?
FDR could have stopped the war from happening. He could have seen Prime Minister Konoe in the fall of 1941 in Hawaii or Alaska. That would have prevented the war.
HBR: Winston Churchill once said, “History is written by the victors.” Do you think this mentality has contributed to the mainstream view of WWII and the events that both preceded and followed it, based on the research you did for this book?
Churchill’s statement was correct. Up to now, the history was written by the victors.
HBR: What would be your biggest piece of advice for anyone struggling with their sense of patriotism and nationality who are from Japan? Do you believe it is unpatriotic for a citizen to question the events of the past that their nation partook in, or do you believe it’s a citizens and patriot’s responsibility to question events when new evidence comes into light?
Despite citizenship, we need to be faithful to the historical facts. We need to respect the historical facts, and denounce fake histories.
HBR: Now that you have published your book, what are your future plans? Any other novels or research papers in the works?
I am also working on the issue of comfort women who provided sexual services to Japanese soldiers. Koreans claim that they were recruited forcefully and were enslaved in battle zones. These contradict historical records. I have written a book, Comfort Women NOT Sex Slaves.
I have organized a NPO, the Global Alliance for Historical Truth, and fighting against the fabricated stories.