Core Viewpoint - The article explores the reflections of Germany and Japan, the defeated nations of World War II, through various museums that house artifacts from the war, questioning how these countries confront their past [1] Group 1: Nuremberg Trials and Artifacts - The Nuremberg Trials were held from November 1945 to October 1946, where major Nazi war criminals were prosecuted, marking a significant moment in international law [1][4] - A notable artifact is a green military evidence box used by the U.S. Army, which once contained Nazi wartime documents, highlighting the meticulous collection of evidence for the trials [2][4] - The trials were based on extensive documentation collected by Allied forces, which included Nazi laws, speeches, and official statements, establishing a precedent for future international legal proceedings [4] Group 2: Museums in Germany - The Berlin Karlshorst Museum, known for its collection of artifacts from battles between Nazis and Soviets, features a significant poster titled "Strangling Hitler," which inspired public resistance during the war [5][6] - The museum's history dates back to 1967, originally established to commemorate Soviet military achievements, and has undergone several name changes to reflect its evolving focus [7] Group 3: Japanese War Propaganda - The Ritsumeikan University International Peace Museum in Japan houses a deceptive political cartoon used by the Japanese military during the invasion of China, illustrating the propaganda tactics employed to mislead the Chinese populace [8][9] - The museum aims to confront Japan's wartime actions and educate visitors about the historical realities of Japanese aggression, despite facing challenges in visitor numbers compared to other museums that present a victim-centric narrative [10] Group 4: Economic Warfare - During the invasion of China, Japan orchestrated a large-scale economic war, including the counterfeiting of Chinese currency to destabilize the economy, which is documented at the Meiji University Peace Education Center [11][13] - The counterfeit currency was used to pay military personnel and to disrupt the Chinese economy, contributing to severe inflation and long-term economic consequences for China [14]