A challenging examination of Japanese war crimes during World War II offers a fresh perspective on the Pacific War―and a better understanding of reasons for the wartime use of extreme mass violence. • Covers the full expanse of Japanese war crimes during the Second World War from 1937 to 1945 • Examines the social and political reasons for an increase in the severity of the violence the Japanese used against women and foreign soldiers during the war • Explains how political relations between the United States and Japan were responsible for increased violence against American soldiers • Discusses hotly contested issues surrounding the denial of war crimes by the Japanese and the resulting impact on regional and international relations • Serves to stimulate discussion about the evaluation of mass violence and genocide