World War Two Legacies in East Asia

How to commemorate World War Two in East Asia is a huge source of friction between China and Japan, continuing to cause major difficulties. As this book shows, however, there is also disagreement within these countries as to how to remember the war. Based on extensive original research, the book explores how China’s commemoration of the war has evolved over time, moving from “benevolent amnesia” in the early decades following the war, to a more strongly anti-Japanese position in more recent years. It considers particular aspects of commemoration in China, explores the corresponding situation in Japan and discusses the continuing impact on the relationship between the two countries.