Overview

Certainly one of the most troublesome unresolved problems facing many Asian and Western countries after the Asia Pacific war (1931-1945) is the question of the atrocities committed by the Japanese Imperial Army throughout Asia and the Japanese government's repeated attempts to whitewash their wartime responsibilities. The psychological and physical wounds suffered by victims, their families, and relations remain unhealed after more than half a century, and the issue has become urgent. As cases are brought before the Japanese courts, victims are dying from sickness and old age. This collection undertakes the critical task of addressing some of the multi-faceted and complex issues of Japanese war crimes and redress.

Full Product Details

9780765808905

Table of Contents

Reviews

<p> .. .essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of human rights. This excellent anthology, based on a landmark conference in Tokyo, exposes not only the staggering scale of the Pacific Holocaust, but the global dimensions of a movement, half a century later, to seek full disclosure and redress for the victims. A multitude of perspectives can be found in this extraordinary book--those of historian and politician, activist and artist, perpetrator and victim--which, like strands woven into tapestry, offer a densely textured portrait of Japan's horrific legacy of genocide and denial. Collectively, these essays tell an epic story of atrocity and amnesia, ultimately defeated by a worldwide struggle for Remembrance. <p> --Iris Chang, author of The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II For those who do not know much about the Asia-Pacific War, for those who would like to find out more, for those who are struggling to comprehend one of the darkest chapters of history and for those who are calling for an official and unequivocal apology and due compensation from Japan, this edition is a must. It engages us on all levels: historical, artistic, psychological, political and philosophical. Then transcending these levels, it becomes a clarion call for the international community to embark on the only road that would lead to a better future for us all. This road would start with Japan's being held accountable for its crimes against humanity and its full acceptance of that responsibility; it would continue with ensuring justice for its victims and would end with reconciliation between aggressor and the victimized nations. In cutting through the Gordian knot of current debates on facts and figures of the Asia-Pacific War, Peter Li, in his preface, arrives at the crux of the matter--that, more than half a century after the war is over, an impatient world awaits while an unrepentant Japan has yet to make a move toward reconciliation and lasting pe

This volume fulfills a vital role in recording and analyzing some of the horrendous war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Japanese Empire before and during the Second World War. The elaboration of these terrible but little known actions contributes in an important way to completing the tragic story of that war. The telling of this story assists in the quest for justice, helps provide closure for the survivors and their descendants, does honour to the victims and forces the perpetrators to confront the magnitude of their crimes. --Jack Silverstone, EVP and General Counsel, Canadian Jewish Congress .. .essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of human rights. This excellent anthology, based on a landmark conference in Tokyo, exposes not only the staggering scale of the Pacific Holocaust, but the global dimensions of a movement, half a century later, to seek full disclosure and redress for the victims. A multitude of perspectives can be found in this extraordinary book--those of historian and politician, activist and artist, perpetrator and victim--which, like strands woven into tapestry, offer a densely textured portrait of Japan's horrific legacy of genocide and denial. Collectively, these essays tell an epic story of atrocity and amnesia, ultimately defeated by a worldwide struggle for Remembrance. --Iris Chang, author of The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II For those who do not know much about the Asia-Pacific War, for those who would like to find out more, for those who are struggling to comprehend one of the darkest chapters of history and for those who are calling for an official and unequivocal apology and due compensation from Japan, this edition is a must. It engages us on all levels: historical, artistic, psychological, political and philosophical. Then transcending these levels, it becomes a clarion call for the international community to embark on the only road that would lead to a better future for us all. This road would start with Japan's being held accountable for its crimes against humanity and its full acceptance of that responsibility; it would continue with ensuring justice for its victims and would end with reconciliation between aggressor and the victimized nations. In cutting through the Gordian knot of current debates on facts and figures of the Asia-Pacific War, Peter Li, in his preface, arrives at the crux of the matter--that, more than half a century after the war is over, an impatient world awaits while an unrepentant Japan has yet to make a move toward reconciliation and lasting peace in Asia. --Ivy Lee, President, Global Alliance for Preserving the Hisotry of World War II in Asia

.. .essential reading for anyone concerned about the future of human rights. This excellent anthology, based on a landmark conference in Tokyo, exposes not only the staggering scale of the Pacific Holocaust, but the global dimensions of a movement, half a century later, to seek full disclosure and redress for the victims. A multitude of perspectives can be found in this extraordinary book--those of historian and politician, activist and artist, perpetrator and victim--which, like strands woven into tapestry, offer a densely textured portrait of Japan's horrific legacy of genocide and denial. Collectively, these essays tell an epic story of atrocity and amnesia, ultimately defeated by a worldwide struggle for Remembrance. --Iris Chang, author of The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II For those who do not know much about the Asia-Pacific War, for those who would like to find out more, for those who are struggling to comprehend one of the darkest chapters of history and for those who are calling for an official and unequivocal apology and due compensation from Japan, this edition is a must. It engages us on all levels: historical, artistic, psychological, political and philosophical. Then transcending these levels, it becomes a clarion call for the international community to embark on the only road that would lead to a better future for us all. This road would start with Japan's being held accountable for its crimes against humanity and its full acceptance of that responsibility; it would continue with ensuring justice for its victims and would end with reconciliation between aggressor and the victimized nations. In cutting through the Gordian knot of current debates on facts and figures of the Asia-Pacific War, Peter Li, in his preface, arrives at the crux of the matter--that, more than half a century after the war is over, an impatient world awaits while an unrepentant Japan has yet to make a move toward reconciliation and lasting pe

Author Information

Peter Li is editor of East Asia: An International Quarterly and a professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available