Core Viewpoint - Japan's "peace" memorial museums are increasingly downplaying the country's wartime aggression, with significant alterations to historical narratives, particularly regarding events like the Nanjing Massacre, reflecting a rise in historical revisionism [2][3][5]. Group 1: Changes in Exhibitions - Nagasaki's atomic bomb museum plans to change references to the Nanjing Massacre to "Nanjing Incident," with some advocating for the removal of related displays entirely, sparking strong criticism [2]. - The Osaka International Peace Center has removed references to "aggression" and significant historical events like the Nanjing Massacre, focusing instead on narratives of victimhood from American bombings [2][3]. - The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has minimized its portrayal of the Second Sino-Japanese War, replacing terms like "occupation" with vague language and omitting the historical death toll of the Nanjing Massacre [3]. Group 2: Resistance and Advocacy - The Ritsumeikan University International Peace Museum has faced internal pressure to remove displays on wartime atrocities, but academic staff successfully opposed these changes, highlighting the importance of confronting historical truths [3][4]. - Citizen groups in Nagasaki are advocating for the preservation of accurate historical representations, emphasizing the need to communicate the realities of wartime atrocities to the world [4]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The trend of historical revisionism is linked to a broader rightward shift in Japan's government and society, with increased pressure from right-wing groups influencing museum narratives [5][6]. - The lack of historical education in Japan is contributing to a younger generation's ignorance of the country's wartime actions, exacerbated by government interference in educational content [5][6]. - There is a growing concern that narratives glorifying Japan's wartime actions, such as the portrayal of kamikaze pilots, are legitimizing past aggressions and further entrenching revisionist views [5].

Core Points - The article emphasizes the significance of remembering the 14-year-long resistance against Japanese invasion, which began on September 18, 1931 [2][4]. Summary by Sections Historical Context - The Japanese invasion, marked by the destruction of the South Manchuria Railway near Shenyang, initiated a brutal 14-year conflict [2][4]. - Over 1 million square kilometers of territory in Northeast China fell under Japanese control following the September 18 Incident [8]. Human Impact - The war resulted in approximately 35 million casualties among Chinese military and civilians [12]. - The invasion led to the establishment of a biological weapons research facility in Harbin, where at least 3,000 individuals were subjected to human experimentation [15]. - More than 200,000 Chinese women were forced into sexual slavery, referred to as "comfort women" [18]. - The conflict displaced around 42 million people, leaving them homeless [30]. Territorial Loss - Following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Japan occupied over 6 million square kilometers of Chinese territory [21]. - The invasion resulted in the occupation of approximately 930 cities across China [26].

Core Viewpoint - The film "Nanjing Photo Studio" has sparked significant discussion, focusing on the historical atrocities committed by the Japanese army during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, and has resonated with international audiences who reflect on their own historical contexts [1][2][3] Group 1: Audience Reactions - Foreign viewers expressed deep emotional responses to the film, with one audience member describing the depiction of violence against civilians as shocking and incomprehensible [1] - Another viewer related the film to their own country's experiences of Japanese invasion, highlighting a shared sense of anger and empathy [1] - A third viewer emphasized the personal connection to the victims portrayed in the film, transforming abstract numbers into relatable individuals [1] Group 2: Historical Awareness - The audience members noted significant differences in historical education regarding Japanese wartime actions, with South Korea emphasizing this history in schools, while Western countries provide limited coverage [2] - Despite these educational disparities, the film's themes of moral struggle and the pursuit of truth resonate universally, appealing to international viewers [2] Group 3: Contemporary Relevance - The film is seen as a crucial reminder of historical truths in the face of rising historical revisionism, with viewers acknowledging China's efforts to preserve and share evidence of wartime atrocities [3] - The narrative encourages younger generations to remember the sacrifices made for peace, emphasizing the importance of confronting historical realities [3] - The film is being released in multiple countries, continuing the dialogue on history, memory, and humanity, reinforcing the need to face the past to truly value peace [3]

Core Viewpoint - A recently exposed historical album documents the atrocities committed by the Japanese Kwantung Army against the anti-Japanese hero Yang Jingyu, providing further evidence of Japan's aggression during the invasion of China [1][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - The album titled "Jilin Tonghua Island Three Provinces Law and Order Rectification Work Commemorative Photo Album" was published by the Japanese Kwantung Army in 1941 and contains nearly a hundred photographs documenting their brutal suppression of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army from 1939 to 1940 [3]. - Yang Jingyu, a key figure in the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, led guerrilla warfare against the Japanese forces, establishing numerous secret camps and employing flexible strategies [3]. Group 2: Yang Jingyu's Legacy - Yang Jingyu fought valiantly against overwhelming enemy forces and ultimately sacrificed his life on February 23, 1940, at the age of 35, after enduring severe hardships [3]. - The brutal treatment of Yang Jingyu's body by the enemy, including decapitation and disembowelment, highlighted the extreme conditions faced by the anti-Japanese fighters, as he was found with no food in his stomach, only undigested roots, tree bark, and cotton [3]. Group 3: Impact of the Album - The album serves as a self-promotional tool for the Japanese Kwantung Army, but it inadvertently reflects the resilience and determination of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, igniting a spirit of resistance among the local population [3][4].