The History Problem : The Politics of War Commemoration in East Asia

Seventy years after the Asia-Pacific War ended, Japan is still embroiled in intense controversies with South Korea and China over how to commemorate it. Why did the controversies—known as East Asia’s “history problem”—become so entangled and protracted? Can the history problem ever be resolved, and if so, how? By carefully examining a vast corpse of historical materials, available both in English and Japanese, __The History Problem__ reveals the fundamentally relational nature of the problem, caused by nationalist commemorations in Japan as well as in South Korea and China that focus on what happened to co-nationals without sufficient regard for foreign others. At the same time, the book shows that cosmopolitan commemoration that takes humanity as a frame of reference has developed through a transnational network of NGOs, victims of Japan’s past wrongdoings, and historians and educators. In light of these findings, the book concludes that the governments and citizens in Japan, South Korea, and China have the best chance to resolve the history problem and move toward reconciliation if they mobilize historians’ critical reflections to engage in mutual criticism of nationalist commemorations and reciprocate cosmopolitan commemoration. Seventy years have passed since the end of the Asia-Pacific War, yet Japan remains embroiled in controversy with its neighbors over the war's commemoration. Among the many points of contention between Japan, China, and South Korea are interpretations of the Tokyo War Crimes Trial, apologies and compensation for foreign victims of Japanese aggression, prime ministerial visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and the war's portrayal in textbooks. Collectively, these controversies have come to be called the “history problem.” But why has the problem become so intractable? Can it ever be resolved, and if so, how? To answer these questions author Hiro Saito mobilizes the sociology of collective memory and social movements, political theories of apology and reconciliation, psychological research on intergroup conflict, and philosophical reflections on memory and history. The history problem, he argues, is essentially a relational phenomenon caused when nations publicly showcase self-serving versions of the past at key ceremonies and events: Japan, South Korea, and China all focus on what happened to their own citizens with little regard for foreign others. Saito goes on to explore the emergence of a cosmopolitan form of commemoration taking humanity, rather than nationality, as its primary frame of reference, an approach increasingly used by a transnational network of advocacy NGOs, victims of Japan's past wrongdoings, historians, and educators. When cosmopolitan commemoration is practiced as a collective endeavor by both perpetrators and victims, Saito argues, a resolution of the history problem—and eventual reconciliation—will finally become possible.The History Problem examines a vast corpus of historical material in both English and Japanese, offering provocative findings that challenge orthodox explanations. Written in clear and accessible prose, this uniquely interdisciplinary book will appeal to sociologists, political scientists, and historians researching collective memory, nationalism and cosmopolitanism, and international relations—and to anyone interested in the commemoration of historical wrongs. Seventy Years Have Passed Since The End Of The Asia-pacific War, Yet Japan Remains Embroiled In Controversy With Its Neighbors Over The War's Commemoration. Among The Many Points Of Contention Between Japan, China, And South Korea Are Interpretations Of The Tokyo War Crimes Trial, Apologies And Compensation For Foreign Victims Of Japanese Aggression, Prime Ministerial Visits To The Yasukuni Shrine, And The War's Portrayal In Textbooks. Collectively, These Controversies Have Come To Be Called The History Problem. But Why Has The Problem Become So Intractable? Can It Ever Be Resolved, And If So, How? To Answer These Questions Author Hiro Saito Mobilizes The Sociology Of Collective Memory And Social Movements, Political Theories Of Apology And Reconciliation, Psychological Research On Intergroup Conflict, And Philosophical Reflections On Memory And History. Cross-national Fragmentation, 1945-1964 -- The Growth Of Transnational Interactions, 1965-1988 -- Apologies And Denunciations, 1989-1996 -- The Coexistence Of Nationalism And Cosmopolitanism, 1997-2015 -- The Legacy Of The Tokyo Trial -- The Role Of Historians In The History Problem. Hiro Saito. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 70 years after the Asia-Pacific War ended, Japan is still embroiled in intense controversies with South Korea and China over how to commemorate it. Why did the controversies-known as East Asia's 'history problem' - become so entangled and protracted? Can the history problem ever be resolved, and if so, how? By carefully examining a vast corpse of historical materials, available both in English and Japanese, 'The History Problem' reveals the fundamentally relational nature of the problem, caused by nationalist commemorations in Japan as well as in South Korea and China that focus on what happened to co-nationals without sufficient regard for foreign others