After World War I, there was a period when the devastation caused by the war made people pause to reflect, and the time seemed ripe for international cooperation and arms reductions.The first display case in this section of the museum shows information about the League of Nations and the promise for peace it offered at that time.This trend was quickly reversed in Japan, however, with the start of the Fifteen-Year War.The anti-war movement was suppressed, and freedom of thought and academic pursuits in the country were curtailed.The second display case in this section illustrates examples of such repressive measures.The Peace Preservation Law passed in 1925 played a central role in limiting the freedom of Japanese citizens to criticize imperial rule or to expound Communist or anti-war ideologies.As the military strengthened its control on the nation, not only communism, but also liberalism and all other movements opposed to fascism were suppressed.Then in 1933, the Minister of Education began reining in academic freedom, criticizing a textbook written by Kyoto University Professor Yukitoshi Takigawa and forcing Takigawa to resign despite widespread protests by other professors.One of the declarations signed by Takigawa's supporters is exhibited in the fourth display case.

Even though the Japanese government clamped down on anti-war activities, a small number of liberals and members of religious groups opposed facism and the war.There were also people who, while not joining the anti-war movement, refused to cooperate with the war effort.Others simply became weary of the war, and as it drew to a close, were increasingly critical of the Japanese government.In addition, many Japanese who fled Japan for exile in China and the U.S.denounced the war.The last display cases in this section highlight these movements.