Battlefield and Post-War (War Experience and Chinese Studies in Japan)

Author: [Japanese] Masatoshi Tanaka / Luo Fuhui et al
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The pure post-war generation, who grew up completely unrelated to war, would have no sense of responsibility—this is the thinking based on common sense. However, as conscientious Japanese, even if born in different eras, they naturally inherit the responsibilities left by the pre-war generation, as they all live on the basis of the continuity of being Japanese. The "citizens" are also the "citizens" as the sovereign of Japan, and since they stand on the position of participating in the operation of the nation, they must bear the same responsibilities. Even if they have detached themselves from the relationship with the nation, as long as they are members of the Japanese nation, they cannot escape from the trans-era sense of collective responsibility. — Yasuharu Kamei, War Responsibility I feel that the issue of war responsibility is urgent. The Emperor may be close to seventy-three years old (in 1974). If he were to pass away, could we just let him go without any sense of responsibility for such a tragic life? A dignified person, yet trying to shirk such a significant responsibility, while showing great sympathy for the Emperor, must still hold the emperor system accountable for the unfortunate and tragic sacrifices of the victims. If we do not do so, this country would have no morality. — Yoshimi Kojima, History and Education Why does only Japan mourn the deaths of its own; why do only others mourn the deaths of foreigners? Why is this the case? Why can’t humans share joy and sorrow together? — Diary of Japanese War Dead Students, Listen, the Sea is Calling Masatoshi Tanaka is both a Japanese veteran who experienced World War II and a renowned Japanese historian with a conscience. He is a scholar and representative figure in Japan who has reflected the most profoundly and at the highest theoretical level on the history of Japan’s foreign aggression in modern history. He has been called a "Truthkeeper" by the Chinese historian Liu Dajan. This book is a work in which he deeply reflects on Japan’s war of aggression from a historical perspective. Through his personal experiences and observations, he studies Japan’s war responsibility, post-war responsibilities, the issue of remaining chemical weapons, and more. By discussing historical research methods, modern Japan and East Asian colonization, he refutes the "Positive Theory of the Greater East Asia War" and the "Necessity Theory." Some of his views and methods on researching history, especially East Asian history, have also provided great inspiration for historians in China.