In Chang’s article of The Rape of Nanking – The Forgotten Holocaust of World War ll, Chang is very accusatory of the Japanese for two main reasons, first the acts perpetrated by the Japanese before and during World War ll. The second would be how many individuals, especially in America are unaware of the the terrible and gruesome acts of violence committed by the Japanese and how the past has been effectively “swept under the rug.” It was not until arriving at Virginia Tech that I learned about the Nanking Massacre. While in China, specifically at the Flying Tigers Museum in Guilin I was asked as an American if I had ever heard of the Nanking Massacre and what I thought about it. It was interesting to see that Chinese people today still were very aware and had strong feelings about the massacre itself. More so whether or not if myself as an American had heard about and my personal perspective too.
Masaaki in his article of What Really Happened in Nanking- The Refutation of a Common Myth could be considered a neo-conservative on his beliefs in regards to the historiography of the Nanking massacre. He directly attacks Chang’s article and states bluntly that “inventors of history found the perfect arena for their misdeeds…they manufactured the “Nanking Massacre” (viii). He calls into question the usage of Massacre in international law asking why there is none for Iwo Jima (Masaaki 7). This is a stretch however, it was combatants fighting a battle while Nanking was occupying forces acting against civilians and non-combatants. Masaaki also argues that “authors miraculously transformed bandits executed by Nationalist soldiers into Chinese massacred by Japanese troops” (Masaaki 115). Masaaki does not denied the acts that were performed but rather that the Chinese has gone beyond to demonize the Japanese further making them brutal executioners of all Chinese rather than just bandits.
Both Chang and Masaaki’s articles are both very emotional and politically charged and provide a very clear distinction between both sides of the Nanking Massacre and what happened. I would argue both are an example of the conflict as to why Japan and China are at odds with one another in terms of not recognizing the Nanking Massacre but rather how and what acts were perpetrated and how many people died. Yoshida and his article The Nanking Massacre, Changing Contours of History and Memory in Japan, would be closest to the middle ground stating facts and not learning too far in one direction Yoshida works in the peace museum and does not want to necessarily admit to what the Japanese have done while the Chinese are absolutely focused upon the Japanese accepting the consequences of their crimes. Like Yoshida says they are feeding off one another.
I believe personally the atomic bombs being dropped upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the Japanese claiming the victim role of World War ll and the Chinese have also claimed the victim role from the occupation of the Japanese and the massacre as well. Let me make it clear that atrocities against the civilians from both nations were horrible and cannot be forgotten or dismissed. The biggest issue I see though is trying to compare and mitigate the suffering of the opposing nations which revives the bad blood between nations.
It was interesting to read about Nanking from these different viewpoints. You did a good job of explaining these viewpoints in each of the articles. Seeing them set up the opposing views followed by the attempt at some middle ground gave it a solid structure.
I like your last sentence about comparing suffering between nations. I think this is a really tricky issue that only creates more tension and controversy around events that happened. This is one of the problems that arises with World War Two, because with so many tragic events, comparisons naturally come about.
I found your conclusion interesting. Are you saying that the Chinese and Japanese should forget about the Nanking Massacre and the Atomic Bombs in order to move on and stabilize international relations?
Although that may be idealistic it would be very hard to accomplish. That would be like telling the United States to forget about 9/11.
No, the second to last sentence emphasizes the importance of this event and how we cannot forget that this event happened. Rather this topic will always be that of conflict due to the suffering of civilians on both sides.
You stated, “The biggest issue I see though is trying to compare and mitigate the suffering of the opposing nations which revives the bad blood between nations.” . I think this is very true. The more comparison and mitigating that occurs , the more tensions arise. One thing we can’t overlook is the fact that both governments are known for their censorship and so we are left with a lot of personal memories that are emotionally charged.
So what you are saying is that we should just forget about this entirely? I know this not actually what you mean; however, some people seem to have misread your post. I think you should specify more clearly what your viewpoint is to help out. I appreciate your blogs and really hope that you will continue to fight the good fight. On a more real note, I believe that your point of the Chinese and Japanese feeding off of each is very important in understanding and solving this issue.