This section of the website highlights contestations over the official narrative regarding Japanese imperialism and wars that culminated in 1945. It supplements and extends the arguments in my books Japan’s Contested War Memories (Routledge 2007) and Local History and War Memories in Hokkaido (Routledge 2016).
A chronological overview of the main moments in the history issue.
Key statements, apologies and other documents giving the official Japanese government position.
The Yasukuni Shrine issue and remembrance of military and civilian casualties in Japan.
Debates over the nature of Japanese war responsibility, and how it should be addressed.
The textbook controversy and other battles over the telling of history.
Territorial disputes as part of the “history issue”
Can the “history issue” be resolved?
Other general reading resources not in the above sections.