What's happened
As China prepares for its WWII victory parade, it emphasizes wartime sacrifices and calls for respect for the post-war order. Meanwhile, Japan's commemorations include controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine, provoking criticism from China and South Korea. The US also reflects on WWII, with former leaders highlighting alliances and past mistakes. The stories reveal ongoing regional tensions and historical disputes.
What's behind the headline?
The narratives surrounding WWII anniversaries in China, Japan, and the US reveal a strategic use of history to shape current geopolitics. China’s emphasis on its sacrifices and the call for respect for the post-war order serve to bolster its regional influence and counter Western narratives that diminish its role. The Chinese government’s critique of Japan’s military expansion and visits to Yasukuni Shrine are deliberate efforts to reinforce historical grievances and justify its own military modernization.
Meanwhile, Japan’s commemorations, including Prime Minister Ishiba’s remarks and the controversial shrine visits, reflect a delicate balance between acknowledging past atrocities and asserting a more assertive military stance. The US’s reflections, especially Trump’s messages and historical commentary, serve to reinforce alliances and remind of the sacrifices made during WWII, but also highlight the ongoing contest over historical memory.
The regional tensions are compounded by disputes over Taiwan, with China warning against Japan’s engagement with Taiwan and emphasizing its own sovereignty claims. The military parade in China and the upcoming parade in Japan symbolize the ongoing importance of military power and historical narratives in shaping regional stability. Overall, these stories forecast continued friction over history, sovereignty, and military modernization, with each nation leveraging WWII history to justify current policies and regional positioning.
What the papers say
The articles from South China Morning Post and Bloomberg provide contrasting perspectives on the use of WWII history. The SCMP pieces emphasize China's narrative of sacrifice and the importance of respecting the post-war order, portraying China as a defender of global norms and highlighting its military modernization efforts. For example, they quote Chinese officials stressing the importance of facing history squarely and criticising Japan’s military expansion.
In contrast, Bloomberg’s coverage focuses on Japan’s efforts to reflect on its wartime past, including Prime Minister Ishiba’s remarks and the controversy over shrine visits. Bloomberg notes Japan’s attempts at genuine remorse and the importance of passing on war memories, but also highlights the ongoing tensions caused by visits to Yasukuni Shrine and Japan’s military policy shifts.
Both sources underscore the political use of WWII history but from different angles: China’s narrative seeks to reinforce its regional influence and justify military growth, while Japan’s narrative attempts to balance remembrance with a cautious approach to military expansion. The contrasting tone and emphasis reflect the broader geopolitical contest over historical memory and regional influence in East Asia.
How we got here
The articles collectively highlight the complex history of WWII in East Asia, including China's sacrifices and the role of the Soviet Union, the US, and China in defeating fascism. Recent commemorations and political gestures, such as Japan's controversial shrine visits, continue to influence regional relations. China's emphasis on historical justice and Japan's military expansion reflect ongoing tensions rooted in wartime history and current geopolitics.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Japan’s shrine visits for regional diplomacy?
- How is China using WWII history to justify its military growth?
- Will the upcoming WWII commemorations lead to more dialogue or conflict?
Common question
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Why are regional tensions rising in East Asia over Japan's WWII remembrance?
Recent commemorations by Japan marking the 80th anniversary of its WWII surrender have reignited regional tensions, especially with China and South Korea. Controversial visits to Yasukuni Shrine and Japan's handling of wartime history continue to influence diplomatic relations. This page explores the key questions surrounding these tensions, their implications for regional security, and what they mean for US alliances in East Asia.
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More on these topics
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Japan is an island country of East Asia in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It borders the Sea of Japan to the west and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Shigeru Ishiba is a Japanese politician. Ishiba is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party and of Heisei-Kenkyukai until 2011.
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Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 and commemorates those who died in service of Japan from the Boshin War of 1868–1869 through the First Indochina War of 1946–1954.
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World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all the great powers—forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Wang Yi is a Chinese diplomat and politician. He formerly served as China's Vice Foreign Minister, Ambassador to Japan and Director of the Taiwan Affairs Office. He has served as the Foreign Minister since March 2013 and a State Councilor since March 2018
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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. Neighbouring countries include the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south.
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.