Scholars and experts from China, Japan, the United States, and other regions gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The symposium, held on June 29 at Changchun Normal University and Musashino University, brought together rare oral histories and privately held historical materials to shed light on Japan's wartime actions.
Attendees listened intently as voices like former NHK translator Tamiko Kanzaki recounted her early experiences in the puppet state of "Manchukuo." Her personal memories of militaristic education and the harrowing impacts of policies such as the infamous "Three Alls Policy" and the Nanjing Massacre helped underline the need for Japan to face its historical truths. Meanwhile, former Asahi Shimbun journalist Yoichi Jomaru presented research critiquing Japanese media's selective wartime coverage, calling for a more honest representation of past aggression.
The symposium also featured an exhibit at Musashino University, where artifacts including military correspondence served as silent witnesses of history. Historians emphasized that preserving and reflecting on these accounts is not about fuelling animosity, but about learning vital lessons for global peace and friendship. As Li Suzhen from the Sino-Japanese Oral History and Culture Research Association put it, remembering the past is key to building a future of mutual respect and understanding. ✌️
This event reminds us that understanding history can empower us to create a more peaceful and informed world—a message that resonates deeply in our fast-paced, tech-savvy era.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
