Modern and Contemporary History of East Asia (Revised Edition)

Author: Joint Writing Committee of "Modern History of East Asian Three Countries"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: "Modern History of East Asian Three Countries" takes China, Japan, and South Korea as its subjects, based on existing research, and is written for general readers in the three countries. It aims to introduce the modern history of China, Japan, and South Korea as comprehensively and objectively as possible in clear and fluent language. The book provides a thorough and impartial account of the history of the three countries, especially the history of aggression and resistance between China, South Korea, and Japan. The book has the following notable characteristics:
First, it is jointly written by scholars from China, Japan, and South Korea. The three countries are geographically adjacent and have had close historical ties. In modern times, they have faced similar pressures from Western powers. However, Japan, through the Meiji Restoration, joined the ranks of colonial powers and launched invasions against China and South Korea, plunging the three countries into a dark period in history. The joint writing of the modern history of the three countries by scholars from these nations is a first in China, Japan, and South Korea. This initiative is of great significance and positive impact in strengthening academic exchanges and connections among scholars from the three countries, disseminating accurate historical knowledge, and fostering a shared historical perspective.
Second, the book is aimed at general readers. Building on previous academic research, it provides a concise overview of the modern history of the three countries in accessible and fluent language, as well as the facts of Japan's aggression against China and South Korea. By learning from history, the book explores future development paths for the three countries.
Third, the book is both comprehensive and systematic, yet detailed and focused. It highlights key historical facts, thoroughly exposing the distortions of Japanese right-wing textbooks that twist history and conceal the facts of Japan's militaristic aggression. Using convincing evidence, the book provides a detailed account of Japan's brutal aggression against China and South Korea in modern history. At the same time, it avoids getting bogged down in certain supposed details, such as the right-wing textbooks' attempts to distort the facts behind the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and Japan's subsequent full-scale invasion of China by emphasizing the so-called "gun" issue. After introducing the various aggressive actions of Japanese militarism before and after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the book firmly states that the incident was entirely a planned provocation by Japanese militarism. Whether the gun existed or not would not change the fact that Japanese militarism deliberately provoked the incident and launched a full-scale invasion of China. Furthermore, the Japanese army's presence at the Marco Polo Bridge itself was an act of aggression against China.
Fourth, in terms of writing style and content arrangement, the book seeks to overcome the shortcomings of traditional historical readers, such as rigid didacticism,, and a lack of liveliness that fails to engage readers. In terms of writing style, it requires both academic rigor, based on existing research, and clear, accessible language with a certain level of readability. Accompanying the text are relevant images, which not only provide visual materials but also enhance reader engagement. In summary, the book aims to disseminate accurate historical knowledge to readers in a novel, lively, and vivid form.