Sweden, Japan, and the Long Second World War 1931-1945

We thank Ekman & Co AB and Gadelius Holding Ltd for their kind and generous support, making this research available onlinefor free. Lottaz and Ottosson explore the intricate relationship between neutral Sweden and Imperial Japan during the latter’s 15 years of warfare in Asia and in the Pacific. While Sweden’s relationship with European Axis powers took place under the premise of existential security concerns, the case of Japan was altogether different. Japan never was a threat to Sweden, militarily or economically. Nevertheless, Stockholm maintained a close relationship with Tokyo until Japan’s surrender in 1945. This book explores the reasons for that and therefore provides a study on the rationale and the value of neutrality in the Long Second World War. Sweden, Japan, and the Long Second World War is a valuable resource for scholars of the Second World War and of the history of neutrality.

1. Introduction 2. In the Beginning: Early Swedish–Japanese Relations 3. Trade Under Protest: A War in all but Name 4. Fading Protest: Total War in China 5. Staying Relevant: Total War in Europe 6. Fully Engaged: Total War in the Pacific 7. In the End: Widar Bagge, Japan, and the End of the Second World War 8. Conclusion. Bibliography, Archive Materials, Official Publications, Swedish Publications, International Publications, Magazines, Newspapers, Databases, Literature. Appendix, List of Swedish and Japanese Cabinets, 1931–1945, Speech by Eliel Löfgren at the League of Nations Assembly, March 5, 1932, Reports by Niels E. Ericson on POW Camp Visits, 1942

Pascal Lottaz is Assistant Professor of International Relations at Waseda University, Japan. Ingemar Ottosson is Associate Professor of History at Lund University, Sweden.