📅 This year, 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and the 88th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. It’s a moment to pause and remember why history matters.
From the September 18 Incident in 1931 to the tragic events in Nanjing in 1937, and finally to Emperor Hirohito’s rescript on August 15, 1945, the Asian front of WWII was the first, longest, and one of the most impactful theaters of the war. Over 90 million military and civilian lives were lost worldwide, with the people of China playing a pivotal role in resisting aggression and upholding international justice.
After the war, Cold War politics and shifting alliances left many postwar reforms unfinished. In 1995, Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama issued a heartfelt apology for Japan’s wartime actions. But two decades later, in 2015, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement sidestepped responsibility, even questioning the very definition of aggression—despite clear definitions in international law like the Kellogg-Briand Pact and UN resolutions.
Meanwhile, some voices have gone further, glorifying or downplaying wartime wrongs. These distortions of history aren’t just academic—they reopen wounds for survivors and their descendants, and they threaten the foundation of peace built on truth and remembrance.
🔍 Restoring historical truth isn’t about pointing fingers forever—it’s about learning from the past to build a more peaceful future. As the years go by, memory may fade, but the lessons remain. Let’s keep them alive. ✨
Reference(s):
Restoring historical truth: First step toward safeguarding peace
cgtn.com
