“为日本侵华历史提供西方民间见证”——法国青年在日本举办日军侵华图片展

Core Viewpoint - The exhibition titled "The Last Redemption" held by French youth Marcus Dretas in Tokyo aims to provide Western civilian testimony regarding Japan's wartime atrocities in China, showcasing historical photographs collected by his grandfather [2][3]. Group 1: Exhibition Details - The exhibition features dozens of historical photographs, including original and reproduced images, that reveal the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during World War II, such as the bombing of Shanghai and the massacre of civilians [2]. - Marcus discovered the collection of 618 historical photographs in his grandfather's garage in 2021, which were printed between the 1930s and 1950s, and donated them to the Shanghai Songhu Anti-Japanese War Memorial Museum [3]. - The photographs document the extensive killings of Chinese civilians by the Japanese military and are considered valuable historical resources for studying the Anti-Japanese War and the global anti-fascist movement [3]. Group 2: Historical Context and Impact - Marcus's grandfather lost two children to Japanese forces, and he aims to counter the narrative in Japanese textbooks that often downplay or obscure the history of wartime atrocities [3]. - The exhibition is organized by Marcus and his friends, who faced criticism from some Western media and opposition from certain factions within Japan [3]. - The exhibition seeks to raise awareness among the Japanese public about their historical actions and promote a more objective understanding of Japan's past in Asia [3]. Group 3: Audience Reactions - Visitors to the exhibition expressed a deep awareness of Japan's aggressive history, with one attendee emphasizing the need for Japanese people to engage with such exhibitions to broaden their historical perspective [4]. - A descendant of a Japanese soldier remarked on the exhibition's significance in accurately documenting the atrocities committed by the Japanese military and the miscalculations of the Japanese government during the war [4]. - The exhibition is planned to continue in other Asian countries, Europe, and the United States, aiming to spread awareness of historical truths [4].