1964 – The Greatest Year in the History of Japan: How the Tokyo Olympics Symbolized Japan’s Miraculous Rise from the Ashes

by Roy Tomizawa

Japan was a physical and psychological wasteland at the end of World War II. With over 3 million dead, 39 percent of city populations homeless, 40 percent of all urban areas flattened, 80 percent of all ships destroyed, and 33 percent of all industrial machine tools rendered inoperable, the country was devastated and demoralized.

And yet, just 19 years later, Japan stood proud—modern, peace-loving, and open—welcoming the world as the host of the 1964 Olympics, the largest global event of its time.

In 1964—The Greatest Year in the History of Japan, Roy Tomizawa chronicles how Japan rose from the rubble to embark on the greatest Asian economic miracle of the 20th century. He shares stories from the 1964 Olympics that created a level of alignment and national pride never before seen in Japan, leaving an indelible mark in the psyche of the Japanese for generations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Japan, Sports

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2019

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 1964 Tokyo Olympics were less than 20 years after the devastating end of World War II. Japan had been flattened, and they rebuilt their country and its economy.

Why I started this book: I'm currently reading two hefty books, one about racism and one about the US Constitution... okay two books about racism, and I needed a feel good break. A story of triumph and the human spirit.

Why I finished it: Exactly as promised, this is the story of how Japan tried to show the world that they were ready to return to the world stage, the Olympic athletic feats and the hospitality that the Japanese pride themselves on. I liked all the individual stories of athletes and Japanese citizens... eager to watch the 2020 Olympics in 2021.

[Cordelicacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy, interesting read. Sports, politics, and national identify are tightly interwoven, especially when it comes to the Olympics.

The 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games started on October 10, 1964. They were held amid the Cold War and only 19 years after two atomic bombs had been dropped on Japan. Each athlete arrived in Tokyo with their own unique story. Through the author’s selection of vignettes, the reader hears about lucky breaks, tragic defeats, defections, family reunions, national identify, resentment towards America, boycotts, the origins of the Paralympics, marriages, cultural exchanges, and more.

I read this book because of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (that were held tin 2021), but what is noteworthy is that the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games were reminiscent of the 2008 Beijing Games more than anything. Those Olympics were also a “first” (the first Olympic Games in China) and a kind of national coming out party.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book about the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It was the first Olympics game held in Asia. The book tells the story of the pride of the Japanese nation in holding the event and some of their inspirational athletes, including the Japanese women's volleyball team. It also talks about the aspirations of athletes from other nations such as the American Lakota athlete Billy Mills, they Hungarian kayaker that defected to the US and the marriage of two Bulgarian athletes. The book is a different view of the the 1960s.

[Lavanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brilliant book details the myriad ways in which Japan picked itself up from the ashes after WW2. If you’ve Marcelle’s at the people and loved the country, you absolutely must read this book. There were parts where I was close to tears because no one in the history of mankind has done phoenix like Japan has done phoenix.

[Shawn Persinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read from a seemingly random series of events link together by the 1964 Olympics.

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 2 out of 5]

could’ve been so good but author can not stick to one topic at a time and write about it, this book is all over the place.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

* Read for the '2020 Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge' task: A book related to the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Japan