WorldJapan's war memory: Remembering pain, forgetting responsibility

The article argues that Japanese society has not simply forgotten the war but remembers it selectively. People are familiar with the atomic bombings, the Battle of Okinawa and the trauma of defeat, yet are less likely to confront Japan's responsibility as an aggressor through colonial rule, the Nanjing Massacre and atrocities in Southeast Asia. The author links this gap to history education focused on Japanese victimhood and cites a poll in which only 35% agreed that World War II was a war of aggression launched by Japan against its Asian neighbors.

Japan war memoryhistorical responsibilityhistory educationYasukuni Shrine

CCGTN★★★☆☆2026-09-18 02:34Original