politics

China mulls days to remember defeat of Japan, Nanjing Massacre

69 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2014 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

69 Comments
Login to comment

One part of me says why not? We have Remembrance Day for the slaughter of millions in WW1. We have VE Day for seeing of the Nazi Menace. We also have VJ Day for.......... (although some countries have watered it down so as not to upset Tokyo's feelings.

However, considering China's recent attitudes regarding its partners in Asia (territorial disputes galore). You can just tell that such days of commemoration will descend into anti-Japanese riots. As such, as with the slide to the right in Japanese politics, China going down this path cannot lead to good things.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Bad move. It's a permanent response to a temporary hiccup in relations.

Because of the nationalistic fervour in China, it will be nothing like VE Day or VJ Day that appears on the UK calendar. When we celebrate VE Day in the UK (and no one does anything special on this day) we do not think about hating Germans. The same goes for VJ - Victory in Japan - Day. These days commemorate the end of the war, despite their names.

18 ( +21 / -3 )

More pot stirring, by China this time. I can't believe they think any good can come out of this...

16 ( +19 / -3 )

Call me a cynic, but they might also consider some of the following:

"Tibetan Invasion Day" where they could commemorate the "Tibetan War of Resistance Against Chinese Aggression"

"I Love Jiang Qing Day" where the population could reflect on actions of this selfless comrade in whipping up the hysteria of the cultural revolution.

The possibilities are truly endless.

22 ( +30 / -8 )

The proposal comes as Beijing and Tokyo are at odds over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

I would have written "The proposal is because Beijing and Tokyo are at odds over a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China."

And there you have it folks. Last one out, turn off the lights.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It's fine to have memorial days but the naming of these two proposed days is unnecessarily provocative

10 ( +13 / -3 )

If Japan wasnt participating in Chinas political ping pong game concerning WW2 (as if young person truly care what a bunch of people they dont know did to each other 70 years ago), then China would look very desperate right now in its propogandizing of this issue, but since Japan is right there at the table hitting back with its yasukuni visits and NHK farts, this seems about right. Maybe we will all get lucky with a few more ridiculous national holidays in Japan as well. I hope they make some to fill in golden week so we can actually get a whole week off. Maybe Senkaku day? Or Yasukuni Day? Who freakkin cares.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

This is partly just grandstanding / Japan bashing. But on the other hand, if Japan weren't trying so hard to obfuscate history it wouldn't be necessary. There is a battle between China and Japan over whose version of the past gets remembered. Unfortunately the rest of the world has already decided and on this one, China's right.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Protection against revisionism (in the non-scientific meaning) is always good. But this seems to be about more than that. The idea of commemorating is definitely good if it is all about helping the Chinese people to get over bad memories and lost relatives from that time. However somehow, or rather recent developments has made it increasingly hard to believe that that may be the point. Could the Chinese gov. be so cynical in their imperialist ambitions (superpower ambitions) that they would use their own peoples sentiments for political purposes? Instead of help to relieve peoples pain the idea could work to increase the tension, create hate. Na that can't be.. or could it?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

There is a battle between China and Japan over whose version of the past gets remembered

Well it won't be Tokyo's because there are more than two parties involved. In addition to the Sino-Japanese War on the mainland, you also had the Pacific War and all the issues that entailed. Indeed, that is another issue that the right-wing of Japanese politics is in denial about. They don't seem to realize that trying to bury the past means a lot more than going head-to-head with China. Many years ago there was a political cartoon of about 15 guys working in ditch. One of them (Japan) was trying to fill it in and bury documents entitled "War Crimes", while the other 14 (the allies, the SE Asian countries, China, South Korea, etc.) were trying to dig it out. Sure, tempers might have cooled and memories faded in some countries, however, Japan's continuous one step forward, one step back shuffle of apology and denial does not exactly instill a sense of confidence with regard to its confronting of the past.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Jesh, these guys are non-stop. Mass-produced and low quality, like usual.

In the U.S., we have veteran's day and memorial day to commemorate people who fought or died in wars.

We also recognize Pearl Harbor day, but that is a little trumped up to make people remember that other countries may decide to bushwack you and is a day to remember the people who died during said bushwacking. It isn't entirely directed at Japan.

We don't have a defeated the other country day.

Besides, China didn't exactly defeat Japan....

Sure, make a day to remember the Nanjin massacre. That is similar to the U.S.' pearl harbor, but it would be better to have something not so controversial, like a pearl harbor type event at the start of Japan's war on China.

Of course, these days are designed to support scapegoating Japan and have no other basis. No other country has holidays with that goal....

Hmm, well, during independence day, it is a little uncomfortable around my British friends, but the holiday was really about the birth of a nation and not saying we beat anyone who was or is bad. It is now primarily about a few days off for some summer fun.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Okay, fair enough, commemorate VJ Day the same as Europe and the UK remembers VE Day and VJ Day, but the timing of this is purely to ramp up tension between Japan and China. Sometimes I just wish China would sink into its own festering pit of hate and let the rest of the world carry on without it. Seriously, what do they hope to gain from this? Sympathy? Japan crawling on it's belly begging forgiveness? All it does is make China look like a petulant child sulking in a corner because it can't get what it wants.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Why not just stop reporting on this garbage coming out of this childish immature nation called china ?

Anything intelligent coming out of the place in the last 6 months ? I thought not.

Everyday there is some rubbish about china said this or china said this or china claims that or wants this, who in the hell actually cares what china says or does any more ? Unless its firing rockets or sending up bombers none of this rhetoric means anything other than the place and its leaders are dysfunctional.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

If these days were to actually remember and honor those lost, then I could see it. Japan has anniversaries marking the atomic bomb attacks, after all. However, I think this is just politics.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

'Anything intelligent coming out of the place in the last 6 months ? I thought not.' To be fair, there have been less than intelligent things coming from certain balloon heads on this side, too. The good people of Japan need to do more to keep their unsanitary animals locked up in cages.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Why not just call it the "Hate Japan Day". It's getting very tiring hearing all this propaganda time & time again - it happened a long long time ago & most people have moved on and are trying to get on with their lives & focus on the future, not the past.Yes, bad things happened, very bad things, but reliving them solves nothing. It all seems to be a clever ploy to distract Chinese people from the serious burning issues affecting them and blame someone.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Only two days? The commies are missing a golden opportunity here. If they select a day for every month of the year, they could keep their uneducated peasants frothing at the mouth all year long. No need to make up names either, just call them in numerical order, keeps it simple for the millions of illiterates produced by the wonderful system of communism.

No food comrade? Don't worry, today is Hate On Japan Day #7. Surely big brother will distribute handfuls of rice and beans for everyone who burns the Hinomaru in public.

7 ( +14 / -7 )

I thought every day in China was a day to remember how the Chinese Communists singlehandedly defeated Japan.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

Can we have a 'We support the Philippines, Tibet, Vietnam and any other country which China is trying to steal from Day'?

14 ( +20 / -6 )

JAPANTODAY, please whay is this news, hnestly!

1 ( +4 / -3 )

If its really that important, surely it could wait another 70 years?

At this point, it all just seems very childish. Really should have done this a long time ago.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I understand their reasoning - but the timing is appalling. If this were, say, 10 years ago - no problems, sure. But not with everything going on now...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

smithinjapanFeb. 26, 2014 - 05:39PM JST

If these days were to actually remember and honor those lost, then I could see it. Japan has anniversaries marking the atomic bomb attacks, after all. However, I think this is just politics.

The CCP doesn't really care about those tragedies. You'd be fooling yourself if you thought they actually did, and I agree with you completely.

It's just another tool for them to forward their sick, twisted agenda.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

What China is proposing is a kind of "Hate day". Why not propose love day?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Mark it, it's a day of catastrofy.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

4th June 1989 should be commemorated too, 'Tiananmen Square massacre day' for those Chinese students who were killed.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Why don't the Japanese rename golden week and give it something with meaning, how about calling it Screw China and its propaganda Week.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

budgie

if Japan weren't trying so hard to obfuscate history

Japan isn't trying to obfuscate history. Japan is trying to be accurate. China and SKoea exaggerated too much and based on the exaggerated "history" they're hitting Japan too much.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

0H BOY, I can see where this is going,

the invitation to Japan's PM to attend the new holiday and the annual apology expected. swiftly followed by the next holiday where the fall of japan is celebrated.

strange times

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Is this what China's leaders have to do daily in China, sit around and take this war mentality to the extremes, continually trying to think up issues to impose among its neighbors? This is all they do daily! ? What a pathetic bunch of people in high places in China.. These people are lunatics! Meaning they are dangerous to the human race with the weapons they are developing and no mental capabilities to have such weapons! China is not just a threat to Japan or its neighbors south of it, they are a threat to the world population! They are crazy! That is proven by their daily hatred and their daily war making mentality.. It was not too long ago China stated again and again that people needs to let go of this cold war mentality.. China is nuts!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

hey china you should learn to forgive and forget, japan has already atone for its sins. If your trying to use this issue to rally your people its just proves that the chinese government is immature.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

China is digging a big hole. The only way our is simply "over the top", which it seems to be trying to achive on a daily basis now.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

China's leaders seem to be flipping through George Orwell novels to look for new ideas.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Well - the USA celebrates in remembrance 7 Dec every year (aka Pearl Harbor Day). We also celebrate (in remembrance and honor) Memorial Day. Although the timing is a bit off (70+ years) - seems okee dokee to me.

As for apologies - Japan has never really apologized - most apologies, like most recent Abe/NHK gaffs - become downgraded to PERSONAL opinions, not necessarily supported by officialdom.

The "we deeply and sincerely regret your pain and suffering over our actions" classical Japanese apology is actually rather offensive. Most westerners fail to understand or comprehend the actual official political language used when Japan addresses its historical past.

Germany made it illegal and a criminally punishable offense to deny the holocaust and even chided Japan on their refusal to come clean with their past (so we can all just get on with life and move on to the next international relations gaffe).

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

China needs a national day of remembrance for the Tianamen Square Massacre.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@tinawatanabe

The undisputed accounts of horrendous atrocities committed by Japan in the 30s and 40s are so vile that there's really no need for anyone, not even the crazies in China and Korea, to make anything up.

-1 ( +6 / -7 )

In 1972, when the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Japan established formal diplomatic relationship, Mao Zedong met the then Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka. When Tanaka personally apologized to Mao for invading China, Mao responded: “ (You) don't have to say sorry, your country had made a great contribution to China. Why? Because if Imperial Japan did not start the war, how could we communists become mighty and powerful? How could we overthrow KMT? How could we defeat Chiang Kai-shek? No, we are grateful and do not want your war reparations! (Translated from Tanaka Kakuei Biography, original in Japanese)." [Source: Arthur Waldron, China's New Remembering of World War II: The Case of Zhang Zizhong, Modern Asian Studies, Vol. 30, No. 4, Special Issue: War in Modern China (Oct., 1996), pp. 972]

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Translated from Tanaka Kakuei Biography,

Two possible explanations: 1) Mao, in his dotage, was stinking drunk on too many cups of maotai liquor at the time he said it; or 2) Tanaka Kakuei, who was not the most honest person in Japanese politics, made up the whole story after Mao died a few years later. So I don't dispute that those words actually appeared in Tanaka's biography, but I am skeptical of the remarks' veracity.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Will this be similar as the Takeshima Day celebrated in Japan?

Tinawatanabe, one question, do you believe that Japan invaded China?

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

@chucky3176

...one question, do you believe that Japan invaded China ?

Another reason for Koreans to whine and cry ?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Not China, Japanese army entered Nanjing to occupy. I think you can call it invasion.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

You think? So you're not sure if it was invasion? Let me guess, you're 40% not sure if you can call it an invasion, but you're about 60% think it was sort of invasion, and 100% sure Nanjing was a hoax.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Will this be similar as the Takeshima Day celebrated in Japan?

You think? So you're not sure if it was invasion? Let me guess, you're 40% not sure if you can call it an invasion, but you're about 60% think it was sort of invasion, and 100% sure Nanjing was a hoax.

After suggesting that 10% of the signatures on the crying site for poor sports came from "non-Koreans", and that 59% of Japanese support retracting apologies to Asian neighbors, you chucky are the last one on this site to be giving math pointers to anyone.

And while we know its always on your mind, this news article has nothing to do with Takeshima.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

And the anti Japan nonsense continues.

Why not just have an annual 'burn a Japanese business/beat a Japanese person day' and be over and done with it.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Why is it that the pro-China and pro-SK posters on here are so aggressive?

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Sept 3 is "Soldier's Day" in ROC(Taiwan) to memory 3 million soldiers who sacriface themselves to protect their country and finally defeated Japan, I suggest PRC can follow what ROC did, and this name seems more peaceful.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

China, the undisputed world leader in keeping hate alive. Oh and air pollution.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I could see a day to rememer the dead from WWII or even from only Nanjing. But it wasn't really a Chinese victory over Japan any more than the French kicked the Nazis out of France.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Pretty sure Japan's defeat in WWII had very little to do with Chinese resistance....

2 ( +4 / -2 )

I appreciate the idea as long as the intention of such memorial day is to support peace, human rights and to act proactive against any future war aggression from which side ever. Looking at this honorable motivation my doubts start immediately to grow, that this announcement is politically motivated and only directed against a certain country and not at all in order to promote and support peace.

An announcment like this made in a dictorship, whose regime is responsible for the mass killing of tens of millions of ist own citicen without any word of regret does also not make me confident that Chinas motivation is truely peaceful.

As long as above points are raising any doubts about the true motivation I do not support this idea.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Chinese now acting the bully... and it is not pretty.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Fortunately Chinese propaganda does not work on the international stage - they can only brainwash their own populace by controlling all media.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Both China and Japan are becoming the prisoners of their own version of nationalism. They apparently locked themselves up and threw away the keys.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

ironmonkeyzFeb. 27, 2014 - Pretty sure Japan's defeat in WWII had very little to do with Chinese resistance....

Chinese resisted Japan since 1937, 4 years before the US joined war, without the effort from Chinese, Japan would have occupied whole Asia and Australia! it's not possible for the Ally to defeat Japan if Japan wasn't worn out by Chinese in Asia continent. And unlike France, Chinese always controlled more than 60% of it's land from the beginning to the end of WW2.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

China survived a brutal invasion from Japan, which cost the lives of millions of its citizens. They won through to survive as state free to invent whatever public holidays they see fit to. Many other countries celebrate famous battles etc. so why can't China. Japan, cry me a river. If you'd have won you could have told them what to do, but you didn't, so you can't. On another note, I wish we had more public holidays all round!

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

BluesRee

Do you see a single Japanese making a comment within the article? In general, Japan doesn't care if PRC declares whatever day is a national holiday for whatever reason. It's their internal affairs.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Fair point. I guess I was directing that comment more to the people on here who jumped in to attack China. Having said that I'm sure Abe and co probably aren't getting the bunting ready.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Who cares? Lol...

I don't...Japan doesn't, won't and will not.

No one will lose sleep over this....

Except Chinese that use Japanese products in China..... They will have a pretty bad day....

2 ( +4 / -2 )

@yosun

...without the effort from Chinese, Japan would have occupied whole Asia and Australia!

History as a science doesn't know words as "could", "would", "should".

Name at least one Great Battle of Chinese Armed Forces against Imperial Japanese Army in Asia or Australia.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

@technosphere

Please define "Great Battle ".

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

They can do what they want. Will workers really have two extra paid holidays off in China?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If Japan can make a Takeshima Day, PRC is fair to make a Diaoyu day.

If Japan can make a Yasukuni Day, PRC is fair to make a Ahn Jung Geun Day.

If Japan can make a Revision day, it is fair for Phillipines, Netherland, Australia, Taiwan and ROK make a sex slaves day.

If Japan can make a Sun Goddess Day, it is fair for ROC and PRC make a Moon Princess Day.

If Japan can make a Hiroshima memorial Day, it is fair for PRC should make a Nanking remembrance Day.

Japan should mind own business. PRC should mind own business. Every new public holiday in PRC will be reward for near by Japan as getting less polluted Air. The more holidays in PRC is good for the planet, climate and inhabitants. All J residents should be grateful for that.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

@yosunFEB. 27, 2014 - 05:51PM JST

Please define "Great Battle ".

Any serious battle where Chinese Armed Forces stopped or defeated Imperial Japanese Army.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

@technosphere

Here I only mention couple battles of many onres which Chinese independently " stopped or defeated Imperial Japanese Army", because they're before the US join the war in 1941: . you can google to find details....... From the beginning Japan said they would occupy whole China within 6 months however they struggled in China for 8 sad years (anyway for both sides)..... To sum up, more than half of ww2 Japan military casualities (2.2 million) happened in China war field (1.3 million) and that says all.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@yosunFEB. 27, 2014 - 10:39PM JST

To sum up, more than half of ww2 Japan military casualities (2.2 million) happened in China war field (1.3 million) and that says all.

It says nothing concerning to futher expansion of Japanese forces, after initial attack on China.

quote from Wiki :

In September 1940, the Japanese occupied Vichy French Indochina (仏印進駐 Futsu-in shinchū?) in order to prevent the Republic of China from importing arms and fuel through French Indochina along the Sino-Vietnamese Railway, from the port of Haiphong through Hanoi to Kunming in Yunnan.[1] The fighting, which lasted several days before the French authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese, took place in the context of the ongoing Sino-Japanese War and World War II. Japan was able to occupy northern Indochina, tighten the blockade of China and make a continuation of the drawn-out Battle of South Guangxi unnecessary.

it's not possible for the Ally to defeat Japan if Japan wasn't worn out by Chinese in Asia continent.

You need to learn history. In particular, about August Storm operation in Manchuria.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Chinese leaders make sure their country stays in the news with their preposterous accusations and boorish proclamations. They make sure the rest of the world know China is different and has its own set of rules that defy any form of civility and common sense.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

People should remember that not every war-time act that was committed to China was from an official standpoint and most likely some things were personally carried out by the commanders-in-charge so at the time, the top brass in Japan probably wasn't aware of what was going on. Take Nazi-Germany for instance, Hitler personally wanted to torture and maim POWs to keep the Allies from having their soldiers from returning to the battle field. Nevertheless, there are personal testimonies from Nazi Commanders that secretly ignored and rejected Hitlers plan to slowly destroy POWs and in turn these Nazi Generals actually looked out for the needs of POWs in the Nazi Camps. So to put it shortly, it is not right to burn the Japanese flag and curse the nation as a whole for what a certain few commanders did to Chinese citizens and it important to remember that China as well in the past did the same thing to Korea just not on that level.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

I think that in cases like the Rape of Nanjing there were more than a few commanders involved. Since this type of brutality and the use of forced sexual services (aka more rape) was common throughout all territory occupied by Japan during WWII it can't be an isolated incident. Or, as a friend of mine likes to say, "a fish rots from the head."

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites