The WWII Experience in Asia Why Hidden and Forgotten? Its Consequences and Impact.

1. The WWII Experience in AsiaWhy Hidden and Forgotten?Its Consequences and Impact. Yue-him Tam Macalester College

2. Seeds of Japanese Aggression • Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) • Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) • Annexation of Korea (1905) Overview of WWII in Asia

3. Japanese Aggression in China • September 18, 1931 - Manchurian Incident • Establishment of Manchukuo, 1932 • All-out-war 1937 • WWII in Asia 1931-1945 • 8 years before hostilities in Europe • 10 years+ before N. American participation • WWII in Asia lasted for 15 years Overview of WWII in Asia

4. Republic of China • China unprepared for a modern war • Republic of China, 1911 • Nationalist Party (KMT, Kuomintang) • Dr. Sun Yat-sen president • Warlordism • Gen. Chiang Kai-shek’s Northern Expedition, 1928 Overview of WWII in Asia

5. Problems of Reunification • Powers desire a weak and divided China • Japanese interfere in Shandong, 1928 • CCP founded in 1922 • Challenge KMT for control • Civil war • United Front against Japan, 1933 Overview of WWII in Asia

6. Overview of WWII in Asia

7. Japan’s Aims, China’s Strategy • Japanese military highly modernized • Chinese guerrillas using swords and spears • Japan thought war would be short • Desired China’s natural resources • Wanted economic capitulation/cooperation • US and USSR real enemy • Chinese conduct a campaign of attrition • Move capital to remote Southwest Overview of WWII in Asia

8. International Response • 1st 15 years muted international response • League of Nations mild condemnation for Japan • Increasing Western Sympathy • Time and Life Magazines • US technicians, nurses, doctors, and professionals volunteer • Small western loans • Soviet Union provides greatest aide Overview of WWII in Asia

9. The West Enters the Asian War • After 1939 • Soviet aid stops. • British, US, and other’s aid escalates • 1941, Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and British Colonies • Pulls Western powers into Asian conflict • Changes nature of the war and foreign aid • Direct military assistance • Flying Tigers • Canadian defense of Hong Kong Overview of WWII in Asia

10. Overview of WWII in Asia Captain Chennault in AVG Recruiting Flying Tigers: 1940-1941 & “Blood Chit”

11. Overview of WWII in Asia Canadians Arriving in Hong Kong, 1941

12. American Financial Aid • First 9 years very limited international aid • American aid from 1942-1946 • U.S. $1.54 billion • Only 3% of total Lend-Lease to all nations • Great Britain received US $31.6 billion • USSR received US $11 billion Overview of WWII in Asia

13. Chinese Contribution • Chinese resistance denied Japan essential resources for war effort • Tied down Japanese troops • 1931-39: pinned 50% of Japanese strength • 1939-45: pinned 60% of Japanese strength • Drove Japan to the road of no return • Chinese sacrifice • Military casualties: over 3 million • Civilian Casualty: over 26 million • Damage to Property: incalculable Overview of WWII in Asia

14. Japanese War Crimes • Nanjing Massacre • Sexual slave system (“ comfort women”) • Biochemical warfare • Forced labor • Inhumane treatment of prisoners of war • Looting and destroying cultural properties • and many more crimes... Overview of WWII in Asia

15. Japan as War “Victim” • Japanese education distorts WWII role • Atomic bombings make Japan a “victim” • American feelings of guilt • Nagasaki & Hiroshima remembrance ritual w/o context • Absolve Japan of wartime responsibility Why Hidden and Forgotten?

16. Cold War Geopolitics • Japan only viable ally against communism in Asia • CCP and USSR. Korea, Vietnam soon to follow • China preoccupied with civil war • Both attempted to use Japan against the other • Some Taiwanese separatists still rely on Japanese support Why Hidden and Forgotten?

17. Trans-war Continuum • Anxiety to build a demilitarized and democratic Japan • Japanese war criminals spared prosecution • Became leaders in politics, economy, and technology after the occupation • Class “A” war criminals in Japanese politics. • Kishi Nobusuke - prime minister 1957 to 1960 Why Hidden and Forgotten?

18. Emperor Hirohito • Continuity of reign: 1926 – 1989 • MacArthur exonerated him from any responsibility • Western media presented him as a peace loving and benevolent emperor • Told his only political deed was to shorten the war and announce Japan’s surrender. Why Hidden and Forgotten?

19. Western Confusion • “Mixed messages” • WWII Japanese Aggressor vs. Japanese Cold War Ally • Predominance of European Holocaust and lack of information on Asian atrocities The Consequences and Impact

20. China and Korea • Japan seen as an untrustworthy nation • Youth still have poor outlook towards Japan even 65 years later • 2005 protests against permanent Security Council seat • Popular culture acceptable but “high” culture or more academic subjects disregarded • Any open appreciation of Japanese aid and friendship invites puzzled looks. The Consequences and Impact

21. Japan Refuses Responsibility • Jeopardizes relationship with neighbors • Poses a specific threat to justice from the perspective of individual victims • Creates atmosphere in which the laws of war fail to be respected • Rise of Japanese conservatism • Calls to revise the pacifist Constitution • Yasukuni Shrine visits • UN Security Council Issue The Consequences and Impact

22. Asian Economic Changes Pre 1990s Now Rise of China & Korea leaders want issues of unresolved war responsibilities on the agenda Responding to the popular demand for justice at home • Japan only Asian economic power • Neighbors accepted economic aid from Tokyo • Tacitly agreeing to avoid bringing up the war issues The Consequences and Impact

23. Impact on Japanese Economy • China has surpassed the United States as Japan's top trade partner • anti-Japanese riots in China in 2005 sharply effected the Tokyo stock market • Japanese companies moving factories out of China to less politically sensitive areas • Japanese business leaders lobbied Koizumi to stay away from Yasukuni The Consequences and Impact