Japanese Textbook Controversies, Nationalism, and Historical Memory

[ASAT]

June 11,2009
http://japanfocus.org/data/new_historytext.jpg (http://japanfocus.org/data/new_historytext.jpg)

Japan’s neonationalists have launched three major attacks on school textbooks over the past half century.1 Centered on the treatment of colonialism and war, the attacks surfaced in 1955, the late 1970s, and the mid-1990s. The present study examines three moments in light of Japanese domestic as well as regional and global political contexts to gain insight into the persistent contention over colonialism and the Pacific War in historical memory and its refraction in textbook treatments.

If school textbooks are important “weapons of mass instruction” as Charles Ingrao tells us,2 they may speak not only to the youth and citizens of a nation but also, through the mass media and the ****ouncements of state leaders, to other nations and people. Indeed, although educational policies are often judged in terms of their pedagogical value for classroom teaching and learning, the symbolic functions and actual effects of textbook policies on domestic and international politics are extremely important.3

Textbook controversies invite us to look beyond the nation to educational processes that might contribute to regional and global dynamics and conceptions that could help overcome some of the problems inherent in national, and often nationalistic, education. In this we seek to raise problems that apply no less to China and Korea, and to the United States, Britain, France, and Germany, than to Japan. We raise these global and comparative issues through an examination of Japan’s textbook controversies, particularly as these apply to historical memories of colonialism and war, that is, issues that directly impinge on China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States, as well as Japan.

continued :http://japanfocus.org/-Mark-Selden/3173

[Ordie]

The same can be said about Chinese textbooks, TV soap operas, documentaries demonizing the Japanese to the point of teaching hatred to a new generation of Chinese. To the point where my 24 year old guide in Beijing told be she hated Japanese, even though she'd never met one.

Perhaps the Chinese should teach more about Japan's post-war social and political reforms. Most notably Article 9 of the Japanese Consititution and contributions towards the PRC economy.

Moreover, if the Chinese spend half as much time worrying about the environment, or falling buildings than Japanese texbooks, they would contribute more to its own future.

Instead of a history they cannot change.

[Holmes85]

I very well doubt this situation is just restricted to Japan. There are most likely other countries in the world that do the same thing with their history.

[bigfootsf]

I very well doubt this situation is just restricted to Japan. There are most likely other countries in the world that do the same thing with their history.

Quite true. I would say however that Japan's is much more egregious than most, and instead of, say -- taking too much credit for good things, Japan tends to take too little credit for very, very bad things.

I have a gripe with "Japan Focus". They're anti-Western, anti-U.S., and relentlessly pound the drumbeat of corporate Japan's downfall, a re-militarization of Japan, and Japanese-American connivance to rule the region. Reading it one gets the impression Japan is far, far worse a threat to East Asian security than, say, North Korea and China. Their contributors appear to be a mixed bag of western and Japanese leftists. Unfortunately they've inserted themselves into Google News and I can't get away from them.

[TORA]

Quite true. I would say however that Japan's is much more egregious than most, and instead of, say -- taking too much credit for good things, Japan tends to take too little credit for very, very bad things.

I have a gripe with "Japan Focus". They're anti-Western, anti-U.S., and relentlessly pound the drumbeat of corporate Japan's downfall, a re-militarization of Japan, and Japanese-American connivance to rule the region. Reading it one gets the impression Japan is far, far worse a threat to East Asian security than, say, North Korea and China. Their contributors appear to be a mixed bag of western and Japanese leftists. Unfortunately they've inserted themselves into Google News and I can't get away from them.

"Japan focus", you said they are anti-U.S., &, they promote a strategic Japanese-American alliance for dominate the region?

Re-militarization of Japan...what exactly you mean with this term? And how it could happen in a today's democracy? ...

Japan has never been and never will be an anti-western country, Japan has always had strong ties and links and friendships with powerful European monarchies, The Vatican ect ect since the Meiji restoration even today into the 21st century.

By the way read here who are the main authors of this Japan focus ... :

http://www.japanfocus.org/authors/show_list :| :| :|

[Excelencia]

The same can be said about Chinese textbooks, TV soap operas, documentaries demonizing the Japanese to the point of teaching hatred to a new generation of Chinese. To the point where my 24 year old guide in Beijing told be she hated Japanese, even though she'd never met one.

Perhaps the Chinese should teach more about Japan's post-war social and political reforms. Most notably Article 9 of the Japanese Consititution and contributions towards the PRC economy.

Moreover, if the Chinese spend half as much time worrying about the environment, or falling buildings than Japanese texbooks, they would contribute more to its own future.

Instead of a history they cannot change.


Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you that keep accusing countries like Korea and China of teaching to their students hatred toward Japan.
People like you accuse these countries for brainwashing their children to hate Japan, but look at your own country and the unending textbook reform for instance. As the “Japanfocus” article mention the rightwing politicians are brainwashing the Japanese students and adults by manipulating the history books, to make them believe that Japan atrocities were nothing but a blessing for the rest of Asia or simply omitting the truth about Japanese war crimes.
The war ended only 60 years ago, so it still remains fresh in the memory of the victims.
My grandmother experienced the Japanese occupation of Korea. She was forced to learn Japanese language in the school and her uncle was killed by the Japanese soldiers because he was protecting my grandfather from them. He was taken to the prison and beaten to death.
Don’t blame Chinese or Koreans just because you have problem accepting your own history.

[Elbs]

Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you

Hmm your detective skillz are strong here...

[Kilgor]

Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you that keep accusing countries like Korea and China of teaching to their students hatred toward Japan.
People like you accuse these countries for brainwashing their children to hate Japan, but look at your own country and the unending textbook reform for instance. As the “Japanfocus” article mention the rightwing politicians are brainwashing the Japanese students and adults by manipulating the history books, to make them believe that Japan atrocities were nothing but a blessing for the rest of Asia or simply omitting the truth about Japanese war crimes.
The war ended only 60 years ago, so it still remains fresh in the memory of the victims.
My grandmother experienced the Japanese occupation of Korea. She was forced to learn Japanese language in the school and her uncle was killed by the Japanese soldiers because he was protecting my grandfather from them. He was taken to the prison and beaten to death.
Don’t blame Chinese or Koreans just because you have problem accepting your own history.

The Europeans can get over ww2, but the Chinese leadership cannot. Why?, its stirred up hatred to take attention away from the dark history and current problems of the CCP.

"two minutes of hate" would be appropriate.

[TheMiddlePath]

The same can be said about Chinese textbooks, TV soap operas, documentaries demonizing the Japanese to the point of teaching hatred to a new generation of Chinese. To the point where my 24 year old guide in Beijing told be she hated Japanese, even though she'd never met one.

...

.

Not entirely true. One of the heros in this movie is Japanese. But no prize for guessing who he is.

http://www.youtube.com/v/6_tn5Sbi1vQ&feature=related

[deagle]

The Europeans can get over ww2, but the Chinese leadership cannot. Why?, its stirred up hatred to take attention away from the dark history and current problems of the CCP.

"two minutes of hate" would be appropriate.

well, the germans did acknowledge that it was a disgraceful part of their history, and they've actually proven in their actions that the relationships have improved.

the japanese don't even seem sincere in "apologies" or brush off their atrocities as not as serious sometimes.

[deagle]

Not entirely true. One of the heros in this movie is Japanese. But no prize for guessing who he is.

http://www.youtube.com/v/6_tn5Sbi1vQ&feature=related


isn't that singer jolin tzai from taiwan ?

[Ordie]

Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you

Wow

I didn't I was Japanese.

[Scriptable]

the japanese don't even seem sincere in "apologies" or brush off their atrocities as not as serious sometimes.
The Chinese will never accept any form of apology from Japan, no matter how sincere, while it is politically expedient to stir up racial hate against their neighbor for political gain. Its about time Japan and the world started calling for an apology from China.

[TheMiddlePath]

well, the germans did acknowledge that it was a disgraceful part of their history, and they've actually proven in their actions that the relationships have improved.

the japanese don't even seem sincere in "apologies" or brush off their atrocities as not as serious sometimes.


Word for word their apology statement is carefully read out. One wrong word and they get into trouble with the Japanese right wing. That is how sincere their apology is.

Heck. Officially they did not even surrender. The official surrender day is called "The day the war ended" day in Japan.

Until today VERY FEW former Japanese soldiers has shown Public remorse because of fear from the Japanese right wing. There was a politician whose house was burned to the ground when he just hinted at coming to terms with the war.

[Holmes85]

The Chinese will never accept any form of apology from Japan, no matter how sincere, while it is politically expedient to stir up racial hate against their neighbor for political gain. Its about time Japan and the world started calling for an apology from China.

Curious question, but what makes you say that?

[Solvent]

The Chinese will never accept any form of apology from Japan, no matter how sincere, while it is politically expedient to stir up racial hate against their neighbor for political gain. Its about time Japan and the world started calling for an apology from China.

So you know it all, are you a god?

[CarlosI]

there are plenty of docs on the Nazi's rise to power in Germany but nearly none on the rise of Japan, would be grateful for some info on the subject.

[TheMiddlePath]

The Europeans can get over ww2, .


Not entirely true. Speak with the former Allied prisoners of war who were force to work like slaves in Japanese factories. All of these companies are still in exsistance today. Making money in USA too.

Chinese authur Iris Chang was working on her second book to tell their story before they die of old age. All the time she was under constant threat from the Japanese right wing. Her interviews with the survivors in the end made her so depress that I believe was a factor that led her to commit sucide.

Quote
"While on route to Harrodsburg, Kentucky (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrodsburg,_Kentucky), where she planned to gain access to a "time capsule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_capsule)" of audio recordings from servicemen, she suffered an extreme bout of depression (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression) that left her unable to leave her hotel room in Louisville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisville,_Kentucky). A local veteran who was assisting her research helped her check into Norton Psychiatric Hospital in Louisville, where she was diagnosed with reactive psychosis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brief_reactive_psychosis), placed on medication for three days and then released to her parents. After the release from the hospital, she continued to suffer from depression and was considered at risk for developing bipolar disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder).[11] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Chang#cite_note-sfobituary-10) Chang was also reportedly deeply disturbed by much of the subject matter of her research.

[TheMiddlePath]

The Chinese will never accept any form of apology from Japan, no matter how sincere, while it is politically expedient to stir up racial hate against their neighbor for political gain. Its about time Japan and the world started calling for an apology from China.

http://i42.tinypic.com/ea41a0.jpg
Iris Chang

...she confronted the Japanese Ambassador to the United States on television, demanded an apology and expressed her dissatisfaction with his mere acknowledgement "that really unfortunate things happened, acts of violence were committed by members of the Japanese military". "It is because of these types of wording and the vagueness of such expressions that Chinese people, I think, are infuriated," was her reaction.

[GBob]

The Europeans can get over ww2, but the Chinese leadership cannot. Why?, its stirred up hatred to take attention away from the dark history and current problems of the CCP.

"two minutes of hate" would be appropriate.

Precisely, ccp just the worst ever in human history, in addition, there's full of same sh!t people suffered from in back thousands of years behind the whitewashed glorious history. Yeah, Japan is bad for its coverup in textbook, but china is definitely hundred times worse in this area.

[Solvent]

Precisely, ccp just the worst ever in human history, in addition, there's full of same sh!t people suffered from in back thousands of years behind the whitewashed glorious history. Yeah, Japan is bad for its coverup in textbook, but china is definitely hundred times worse in this area.

I think the thread is about Japan's coverup. Why brought China in? Are you guys trying to make some sort of assumption that since there is worse, therefore, ugly can become beautiful or less evil? or trying to say because CCP is bad, so Chinese people as victim are not deserve a apology? Don't forget most of Chinese people has nothing to do with power struggle and politics.

and how do you know the history back thousands of years? How you judge the history is wrongly recorded? Did you just do time travel?

And I assume the whitewash doesn't mean white people, does it?

[Scriptable]

Curious question, but what makes you say that?
Experience with Chinese politics in the APAC region.

[Scriptable]

http://i42.tinypic.com/ea41a0.jpg
Iris Chang... confronted the Japanese Ambassador to the United States on television, demanded an apology
Iris Chang has no right to demand an apology. She has been widely acknowledged as racist with a simplistic view of the Japanese. Some quotes:


"In writing about this horrific event, Chang strives to portray it as an unexamined Asian holocaust. Unfortunately, she undermines her argument—she is not a trained historian—by neglecting the wealth of sources in English and Japanese on this event. This leads her into errors such as greatly inflating the population of Nanjing (Nanking) at that time and uncritically accepting the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal and contemporary Chinese figures for the numbers of Chinese civilians and soldiers killed. What particularly struck me about her argument was her attempt to charge all Japanese with refusing to accept the fact of the 'Rape of Nanking' and her condemnation of the 'persistent Japanese refusal to come to terms with its past'" ~ Roger B. Jeans, professor of history at Washington and Lee University, who refers to Chang's book as "half-baked history"

and


Joshua A. Fogel, Canada Research Chair at York University,[41] argued that the book is "seriously flawed" and "full of misinformation and harebrained explanations."[3] He suggested that the book "starts to fall apart" when Chang tried to explain why the massacre took place, as she repeatedly commented on "the Japanese psyche" which she sees as "the historical product of centuries of conditioning that all boil down to mass murder" even though in the introduction, she wrote that she will offer no "commentary on the Japanese character or the genetic makeup of a people who could commit such acts". Fogel criticized that part of the problem is Chang's "lack of training as a historian" and another part is "the book's dual aim as passionate polemic and dispassionate history"

and


David M. Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize winning professor of history at Stanford University, also pointed out that while Chang noted that "this book is not intended as a commentary on the Japanese character," she then wrote about the "'Japanese identity'—a bloody business, in her estimation, replete with martial competitions, samurai ethics, and the fearsome warriors' code of bushido", making the inference that "'the path to Nanking' runs through the very marrow of Japanese culture." Kennedy also suggested that "accusation and outrage, rather than analysis and understanding, are this book's dominant motifs, and although outrage is a morally necessary response to Nanjing, it is an intellectually insufficient one."

and


Robert Entenmann, professor of history at St. Olaf College, criticized the work on the grounds that the "Japanese historical background Chang presents is clichéd, simplistic, stereotyped, and often inaccurate."[44] On Chang's treatment of modern Japanese reaction to the massacre, he writes that Chang seemed "unable to differentiate between some members of the ultranationalist fringe and other Japanese", and that "her own ethnic prejudice implicitly pervades her book."

and


Journalist Timothy M. Kelly[46] described the book as "simple carelessness, sheer sloppiness, historical inaccuracies, and shameless plagiarism."

[BorisA]

China comes into the play because, well at least for us westerners, it is pretty dessembling if you criticize somebody while you are doing the same.

by Solvent


So you know it all, are you a god?

...

and how do you know the history back thousands of years? How you judge the history is wrongly recorded? Did you just do time travel?

And I assume the whitewash doesn't mean white people, does it? 1. Yes he is. He is God. In all his Grace.
2. You are right. Just history books approved by the Chinese Ministry of Truth present correct historical data and their interpretation.
3. No it does mean the "whitewash" of people. In the last days we received the sad news that the first proband deceased. (Rest in Peace Michael. We'll never forget you!). Since the 80's thousands of non-white people chose to became part of the superior white race and to overcome their limits caused by their skin colour.

[Scriptable]

I think the thread is about Japan's coverup.
There is no Japanese coverup. That is why the internet is not censored in Japan unlike in China where the CCP dictates tight control on all forms of media and information to ensure the Chinese public does not learn the truth of its history, China's past atrocities (e.g., that Mao is the second largest mass murderer in world history) and of the reality of life outside of China.

[GBob]

I think the thread is about Japan's coverup. Why brought China in? Are you guys trying to make some sort of assumption that since there is worse, therefore, ugly can become beautiful or less evil? or trying to say because CCP is bad, so Chinese people as victim are not deserve a apology? Don't forget most of Chinese people has nothing to do with power struggle and politics.

and how do you know the history back thousands of years? How you judge the history is wrongly recorded? Did you just do time travel?

And I assume the whitewash doesn't mean white people, does it?

Well, i don't think my post's off the thread, it's all related by context if you get it.

Anyway, you're right in a sense, there's no rankings for those countries that cover up ugly truth and make up pleasant stories in their histories, even simply lie on what the fact was yesterday, like never happened when 40 million dead over three miserable year's hunger early 60's China....

Japan still owes a sincere apology after so many insincere apologies thrown back by victim countries.

[GBob]

China comes into the play because, well at least for us westerners, it is pretty dessembling if you criticize somebody while you are doing the same.

by Solvent
1. Yes he is. He is God. In all his Grace.
2. You are right. Just history books approved by the Chinese Ministry of Truth present correct historical data and their interpretation.
3. No it does mean the "whitewash" of people. In the last days we received the sad news that the first proband deceased. (Rest in Peace Michael. We'll never forget you!). Since the 80's thousands of non-white people chose to became part of the superior white race and to overcome their limits caused by their skin colour.

"Central Propaganda Departmen" it called, instead of the "Ministry of Truth" , in Chinese Communist regime.

[Ordie]

I'm not concerned about history. For even God cannot change history.

My concern rests upon the future.

While I was in China, there was evidence of hatred of the Japanese among the youth. This hatred was perpetrated by the television shows, movies, books, documentaries, and exhibitions stressing about Japanese atrocities 60-70 years ago.

This hatred has nothing to do about modern Japan or Japanese. The Chinese government tacit and active support in this victim narrative may be an efficient means to gain legitimacy. But very hurtful to pragmatic diplomatic relations with it's neighbors.

Therefore this hate directed towards Japan may undermine the harmony and prosperity of China. For if the CCP fails to act upon if the Japanese PM were to visit the Nakasone Shirne , the CCP is under threat by it's own masses.

A proper way to honor the dead and the victims of atrocities is for China to be proactive. As a victim of atrocities, China has the responsibilty to act unique position to prevent atrocities in Burma, Darfur, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere.

Better yet, this responsibility to act can be a joint effort with Japan.

[Solvent]

There is no Japanese coverup. That is why the internet is not censored in Japan unlike in China where the CCP dictates tight control on all forms of media and information to ensure the Chinese public does not learn the truth of its history, China's past atrocities (e.g., that Mao is the second largest mass murderer in world history) and of the reality of life outside of China.

:) No wonder somebody above me already consider you a god. Obviously, you know we don't. And you also show your almighty power to make the thread off topic again.

[Scriptable]

:) No wonder somebody above me already consider you a god. Obviously, you know we don't. And you also show your almighty power to make the thread off topic again.
The more you resort to insults, the more it demonstrates your lack of knowledge of your own nation's history and the poverty of your argument.

[GBob]

:) No wonder somebody above me already consider you a god. Obviously, you know we don't. And you also show your almighty power to make the thread off topic again.
All Asian countries that went through WW2 have good reasons to blame Japan for its nasty job on textbook, but your Chinese CCP got no credit for that, because your government has killed over 70 million your own people in past decades, way many times more than Japan did to Chinese during WW2. You will still say you don't know that by your truly selective blindness.

[ASAT]

I prefer to see the point of views from our pure Japanese members here instead of those bunch of jap ass lickers.

[SBL]

I prefer to see the point of views from our pure Japanese members here instead of those bunch of jap ass lickers.
That was called for.:roll:

[Solvent]

The more you resort to insults, the more it demonstrates your lack of knowledge of your own nation's history and the poverty of your argument.

What do I know? I at least know not to use words like "Japan never", "Chinese will never". Who already lost his credibility here.

[Russianlynxy]

What I know specifically about Japanese textbooks is that the disputed Kuril Islands are always Japanese territory in these textbooks. They are always referred to as "Northern Territories" despite the fact they have been Russian since WWII and hold a military contingent to this day.

[Solvent]

All Asian countries that went through WW2 have good reasons to blame Japan for its nasty job on textbook, but your Chinese CCP got no credit for that, because your government has killed over 70 million your own people in past decades, way many times more than Japan did to Chinese during WW2. You will still say you don't know that by your truly selective blindness.

Chinese people and other countries' victims deserve apology. What CCP did has nothing with it. If you hate CCP so much, why don't you open new thread to demonstrate you mind? Mixing CCP's behavior with Japan's coverup only distort the topic of thread.

I already prepare a couple topic for your new thread. "CCP burn down my house", "CCP beat me up", "CCP block my internet". That way you and the people having same hobby can have some high time together.

[Hollis]

I prefer to see the point of views from our pure Japanese members here instead of those bunch of jap ass lickers.


That was called for.:roll:


That was uncompletely uncalled for, Your posting history is not helping you out. Maybe over the 60 days you will be gone, you might want to think about how you post on this forum. Civility is expected.

I am beginning to wonder if ASAT, is short for asshat.

[LordKitchener]

there are plenty of docs on the Nazi's rise to power in Germany but nearly none on the rise of Japan, would be grateful for some info on the subject.

Basically, the Japanese believed their Emperor was a direct descendant of the Sun God and they rampaged across Asia to create the Japanese Empire which resulted in the killing of 20 million Chinese.

That's a genocide which shouldn't be completely be forgotten in a couple of generations given Japan's still blatant disdain for non-Japanese.

[Jiggy]

That was uncompletely uncalled for, Your posting history is not helping you out. Maybe over the 60 days you will be gone, you might want to think about how you post on this forum. Civility is expected.

I am beginning to wonder if ASAT, is short for asshat.

lmaooo......

Hollis just layed the smack down.

[Bulletproof]

Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you that keep accusing countries like Korea and China of teaching to their students hatred toward Japan.
People like you accuse these countries for brainwashing their children to hate Japan, but look at your own country and the unending textbook reform for instance. As the “Japanfocus” article mention the rightwing politicians are brainwashing the Japanese students and adults by manipulating the history books, to make them believe that Japan atrocities were nothing but a blessing for the rest of Asia or simply omitting the truth about Japanese war crimes.
The war ended only 60 years ago, so it still remains fresh in the memory of the victims.
My grandmother experienced the Japanese occupation of Korea. She was forced to learn Japanese language in the school and her uncle was killed by the Japanese soldiers because he was protecting my grandfather from them. He was taken to the prison and beaten to death.
Don’t blame Chinese or Koreans just because you have problem accepting your own history.

Yes, because China never participate in any offensive war...

[TheMiddlePath]

All Asian countries that went through WW2 have good reasons to blame Japan for its nasty job on textbook, but your Chinese CCP got no credit for that, because your government has killed over 70 million your own people in past decades, way many times more than Japan did to Chinese during WW2. You will still say you don't know that by your truly selective blindness.


By your own logic .....

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture China on green house emission since Europeans themselve contributed 99% of all the emssion to date ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture Japan on hunting whales since European themselve hunted almost all the anaimals in Europe, America and Africa to extinction ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture tropical countries like Malaysia on managing their forest since Europeans themselves chopped down all their forest ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture the world on killings since Europeans killed more Europeans in WW1 and WW2 then anybody else ?

The most destructive race in the universe ? What do you think about that ?

No offense intended. Just asking some questions. That is all.

[Holmes85]

This thread feels like a pressure cooker that's ready to go off at any minute.

[TheMiddlePath]

Iris Chang has no right to demand an apology. She has been widely acknowledged as racist with a simplistic view of the Japanese. Some quotes:

"In writing about this horrific event, Chang strives to portray it as an unexamined Asian holocaust. Unfortunately, she undermines her argument—she is not a trained historian—by neglecting the wealth of sources in English and Japanese on this event. This leads her into errors such as greatly inflating the population of Nanjing (Nanking) at that time and uncritically accepting the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal and contemporary Chinese figures for the numbers of Chinese civilians and soldiers killed. What particularly struck me about her argument was her attempt to charge all Japanese with refusing to accept the fact of the 'Rape of Nanking' and her condemnation of the 'persistent Japanese refusal to come to terms with its past'" ~ Roger B. Jeans, professor of history at Washington and Lee University, who refers to Chang's book as "half-baked history"
and

Joshua A. Fogel, Canada Research Chair at York University,[41] argued that the book is "seriously flawed" and "full of misinformation and harebrained explanations."[3] He suggested that the book "starts to fall apart" when Chang tried to explain why the massacre took place, as she repeatedly commented on "the Japanese psyche" which she sees as "the historical product of centuries of conditioning that all boil down to mass murder" even though in the introduction, she wrote that she will offer no "commentary on the Japanese character or the genetic makeup of a people who could commit such acts". Fogel criticized that part of the problem is Chang's "lack of training as a historian" and another part is "the book's dual aim as passionate polemic and dispassionate history"
and

David M. Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize winning professor of history at Stanford University, also pointed out that while Chang noted that "this book is not intended as a commentary on the Japanese character," she then wrote about the "'Japanese identity'—a bloody business, in her estimation, replete with martial competitions, samurai ethics, and the fearsome warriors' code of bushido", making the inference that "'the path to Nanking' runs through the very marrow of Japanese culture." Kennedy also suggested that "accusation and outrage, rather than analysis and understanding, are this book's dominant motifs, and although outrage is a morally necessary response to Nanjing, it is an intellectually insufficient one."
and

Robert Entenmann, professor of history at St. Olaf College, criticized the work on the grounds that the "Japanese historical background Chang presents is clichéd, simplistic, stereotyped, and often inaccurate."[44] On Chang's treatment of modern Japanese reaction to the massacre, he writes that Chang seemed "unable to differentiate between some members of the ultranationalist fringe and other Japanese", and that "her own ethnic prejudice implicitly pervades her book."
and

Journalist Timothy M. Kelly[46] described the book as "simple carelessness, sheer sloppiness, historical inaccuracies, and shameless plagiarism."



Yes, she has A FEW critics.

And many more are all very proud of her.

[Scriptable]

Yes, she has A FEW critics.

And many more are all very proud of her.
Notice that her critics are Professors of history and Pulitzer Prize winners, not random bloggers or people with a political or nationalistic agenda to push.

[Ordie]

Yes, she has A FEW critics.

And many more are all very proud of her.

I had the privilage of meeting Iris Chang at a book signing in the Bay Area.

My neighbor was classmates with her father in Taiwan during the 1950's and continues to meet with her parents from time to time. From what I observed at the booksigning and through my neighbor's recollection she was very passionate in her research and very empathetic with her primary sources.

Tragically, it took a psychological toll on her depression as she continued to take on research about the Bataan Death March.

If anything, her book was a pioneering document that educated many worldwide of an almost forgotten event outside and even inside China.

Hate had driven the Japanese to do horrible things, and unfortunately today in China, I saw the same hate being perpetrated in media against the Japanese.

I don't think Iris Chang wanted that.

If there is any good to come out of this, it would be the commitment of China and Japan to take on the responsibility to protect humanity from atrocities committed throughout the world. Especially in places in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Only then we can cast out the inner demons that feeds hatred from generation to generations.

[TheMiddlePath]

I had the privilage of meeting Iris Chang at a book signing in the Bay Area.

My neighbor was classmates with her father in Taiwan during the 1950's and continues to meet with her parents from time to time. From what I observed at the booksigning and through my neighbor's recollection she was very passionate in her research and very empathetic with her primary sources.

Tragically, it took a psychological toll on her depression as she continued to take on research about the Bataan Death March.

If anything, her book was a pioneering document that educated many worldwide of an almost forgotten event outside and even inside China.

Hate had driven the Japanese to do horrible things, and unfortunately today in China, I saw the same hate being perpetrated in media against the Japanese.

I don't think Iris Chang wanted that.

If there is any good to come out of this, it would be the commitment of China and Japan to take on the responsibility to protect humanity from atrocities committed throughout the world. Especially in places in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Only then we can cast out the inner demons that feeds hatred from generation to generations.

Correction: Iris Chang bought the attention of the Rape of Nanjing to the West. In China it was never forgotten.

Just meeting one tour guide that hate Japanese ?
One sparrow does not mean it is spring.

Here is yet another Chinese movie showing Japanese in good light.

http://www.youtube.com/v/SqP-WQljb4E

There are more.

Please do not compare what the Japanese military did in WW2 with a few anti Japanese incident in China. You are insulting.

[CarlosI]

Before we go to the usual route of accusation and counter attack lets first discuss the origins of the Japanese Militarists/Nationalists rise to power.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_militarism

There were also several well known incidents that helped mark and show the rise of the Japanese militarists.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_26th_Incident

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_15th_Incident

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Blood_Incident

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/League_of_Blood_Incident.jpg

To understand the rise of the military and the Emperor in Japan we need to to look at the Meiji period that would set in place many of the foundations that would later create Japan of the 1930's and 1940's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_period

Japanese Fascism more ideological underpinnings are also important facts to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statism_in_Sh%C5%8Dwa_Japan

I found the general Japanese public's reactions and feelings towards these events the most fascinating.

[Fage]

Thx for posting.

[RSone]

By your own logic .....

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture China on green house emission since Europeans themselve contributed 99% of all the emssion to date ?

That'd be the Americans, although technically speaking, a lot of them are 'European' as well.

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture Japan on hunting whales since European themselve hunted almost all the anaimals in Europe, America and Africa to extinction ?

Because we've realised actually causing them to go extinct would be a very bad thing for the plantet's ecosystem

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture tropical countries like Malaysia on managing their forest since Europeans themselves chopped down all their forest ?

Right. I suggest you get out wikipedia or a text encyclopedia, and look some things up about Europe.......

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture the world on killings since Europeans killed more Europeans in WW1 and WW2 then anybody else ?

The Chinese killed more Chinese than anyone else, yet the CCP still lecture others(primarily other Asian countries)
This is not some competition as to who was the biggest asshat in the world.

The most destructive race in the universe ? What do you think about that ?
That'd be the human race in general

No offense intended. Just asking some questions. That is all.
Base your questions on real, hard facts, make them a bit more, shall we say, neutral, and then come back..

There, provided some commentary on your 'questions'.

[GBob]

By your own logic .....

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture China on green house emission since Europeans themselve contributed 99% of all the emssion to date ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture Japan on hunting whales since European themselve hunted almost all the anaimals in Europe, America and Africa to extinction ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture tropical countries like Malaysia on managing their forest since Europeans themselves chopped down all their forest ?

Why does Europeans have any rights to lecture the world on killings since Europeans killed more Europeans in WW1 and WW2 then anybody else ?

The most destructive race in the universe ? What do you think about that ?

No offense intended. Just asking some questions. That is all.

Thank you for listing out those unforgivable and disgusting destructions and killings out of greediness and stupidity by Europeans decades and centuries back. As a result of it, we entire human beings have to take the consequences. i think what we could reach a common view on is such stupid mistakes can not be repeated anymore since we just can’t afford it. All your questions are raised on one point: it is totally unfair that we are now not allowed to do what they did way back. Well, we don’t’ have to learn it a hard way like they did，thanks God we realized that before we go all the way through to doom.

[Ordie]

Thank you for listing out those unforgivable and disgusting destructions and killings out of greediness and stupidity by Europeans decades and centuries back. As a result of it, we entire human beings have to take the consequences. i think what we could reach a common view on is such stupid mistakes can not be repeated anymore since we just can’t afford it. All your questions are raised on one point: it is totally unfair that we are now not allowed to do what they did way back. Well, we don’t’ have to learn it a hard way like they did，thanks God we realized that before we go all the way through to doom.

And it's not too late for China to take the lead and prevent other Nanjing massacres from happening in Darfur, Burma and Zimbabwe.

[careindeed]

isn't that singer jolin tzai from taiwan ?

yeap ! Jolin is Taiwanese and that song was a mv accompanied by a chinese movie. :oops:

[Fage]

I’m tired of Japanese like you that keep accusing countries like Korea and China of teaching to their students hatred toward Japan.
People like you accuse these countries for brainwashing their children to hate Japan, but look at your own country and the unending textbook reform for instance. As the “Japanfocus” article mention the rightwing politicians are brainwashing the Japanese students and adults by manipulating the history books, to make them believe that Japan atrocities were nothing but a blessing for the rest of Asia or simply omitting the truth about Japanese war crimes.
The war ended only 60 years ago, so it still remains fresh in the memory of the victims.
My grandmother experienced the Japanese occupation of Korea. She was forced to learn Japanese language in the school and her uncle was killed by the Japanese soldiers because he was protecting my grandfather from them. He was taken to the prison and beaten to death.
Don’t blame Chinese or Koreans just because you have problem accepting your own history.

Thx for sharing your info with us, glad to see the comments like this came from Korean or other Asian countries members, I also expect the genuine Japanese to join the discussion and exchange the viewpoint .

[gaijinsamurai]

I also know Koreans who suffered under the Japanese, and while they've never underplayed the injustices done to them and their country, they realize that today's Japanese are very different and not to blame for what their grandfathers and great-grandfather's generations did.

Oh, I guess my opinion doesn't count, since I'm not a "genuine Japanese".

[gaijinsamurai]

Ordie,
I’m tired of Japanese like you that keep accusing countries like Korea and China of teaching to their students hatred toward Japan.
People like you accuse these countries for brainwashing their children to hate Japan, but look at your own country and the unending textbook reform for instance. As the “Japanfocus” article mention the rightwing politicians are brainwashing the Japanese students and adults by manipulating the history books, to make them believe that Japan atrocities were nothing but a blessing for the rest of Asia or simply omitting the truth about Japanese war crimes.

Don’t blame Chinese or Koreans just because you have problem accepting your own history.

Unfortunately, people like ASAT (the OP of this thread) and the Mao fanboy who wrote attached post tend to prove you wrong:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=4224944&postcount=56


And the "textbook issue" is just an excuse to keep hating the Japanese. The textbook in question is used by less than 10% of junior high schools in Japan, and is utilized in programs for slow-learning kids, who have dumbed-down texts in all subjects, including math and science.

Some people may commend you for calling Ordie Japanese, but that says a lot about their credibility as well.

[Excelencia]

Unfortunately, people like ASAT (the OP of this thread) and the Mao fanboy who wrote attached post tend to prove you wrong:

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showpost.php?p=4224944&postcount=56


And the "textbook issue" is just an excuse to keep hating the Japanese. The textbook in question is used by less than 10% of junior high schools in Japan, and is utilized in programs for slow-learning kids, who have dumbed-down texts in all subjects, including math and science.

Some people may commend you for calling Ordie Japanese, but that says a lot about their credibility as well.

Please tell me about your credibiity