Nana Wu
San Francisco — Hundreds of activists and members of the Chinese and other Asian communities gathered in San Francisco on Sunday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, a horrific episode of war crimes committed by the Japanese military during World War II. The solemn memorial service, held annually for two decades, aimed to expose the brutality of the Imperial Japanese Army and ensure that this dark chapter of history is never forgotten.
The event, organized by a coalition of prominent community groups including the Rape of Nanking Redress Coalition, the Committee to Promote Reunification of China, the Alliance for Preserving the Truth of Sino-Japanese War, and the Comfort Women Justice Coalition, underscored the enduring significance of remembering historical atrocities.
A Grim Anniversary and Unfolding Atrocities
The Nanjing Massacre, a period of mass murder and mass rape committed by Japanese troops against the residents of Nanjing, then the capital of China, began on December 13, 1937, following the city’s capture. The brutal onslaught lasted for more than 40 days, leaving an indelible scar on history. Official Chinese figures estimate that approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians were murdered during this period, and a staggering one-third of the city’s buildings were destroyed. Beyond the outright killings, tens of thousands of women were subjected to horrific sexual violence, a crime against humanity that has become synonymous with the massacre.
Zha Liyou, acting Chinese consul general in San Francisco, addressed the gathered attendees, stating, "The Japanese Army blatantly violated international conventions and committed the extremely cruel atrocity in Nanjing, where 300,000 Chinese civilians were murdered and one third of the buildings were destroyed." His words echoed the deep sorrow and condemnation felt by the Chinese community and its allies.
Interconnected Histories of Suffering
The harrowing experiences of Nanjing Massacre survivors are inextricably linked to the suffering of "comfort women," women who were sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. Judith Mirkinson, president of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition, highlighted this crucial connection during her remarks. "Our stories are linked," she emphasized. "The fate of over 400,000 women sexually enslaved by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II is part and parcel of what happened during the Nanjing Massacre."
Mirkinson’s statement draws attention to the broader systemic violence perpetrated by the Japanese military, extending the scope of historical accountability. She further posited that the 20th century, often described as the most violent in human history, offers stark lessons for achieving peace in the 21st century. "One way to ensure peace in the 21st century is through truth and reconciliation," she asserted. "Reconciliation does not come without truth. So the Japanese government must acknowledge their crimes. They must give justice to those few people who still survive from the Nanjing Massacre and to the memory of what happened there."
A Broader Historical Context of Japanese Aggression
The Nanjing Massacre was not an isolated incident but rather a culmination of a sustained period of Japanese military aggression in China. Japan’s invasion of Northeast China commenced in September 1931, escalating into a full-scale war on July 7, 1937. This prolonged conflict, which continued until Japan’s surrender in 1945, resulted in an estimated 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians killed or injured. The commemoration in San Francisco serves as a reminder of the immense human cost of this period.
A Global Call for Remembrance and Justice
In honor of the victims and survivors, and in pursuit of justice and lasting peace, the Chinese community worldwide joined hands this year to commemorate this historic event. The Chinese government has officially designated December 13th as the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims, a testament to the event’s profound significance in the national consciousness.
Zha Liyou further articulated the purpose of remembrance: "To remember the atrocities committed by the Japanese Army during World War II does not mean to pass on the enmity but rather to remind people not to forget the history and inspire them to love peace. It might be a comfort to the victims and those who sacrificed their lives that the Nanjing Massacre has been etched into the memory of the Chinese people and the world civilization."
This sentiment is echoed in the international recognition of the massacre. In 2015, the Nanjing Massacre was inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, a prestigious compilation dedicated to preserving documented heritage of universal value. This inclusion signifies the global acknowledgment of the event’s historical importance and its impact on human civilization.
Timeline of Key Events Related to the Nanjing Massacre and Japanese Aggression
- September 18, 1931: The Mukden Incident, a staged event used by Japan as a pretext to invade and occupy Manchuria (Northeast China).
- July 7, 1937: The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, marking the beginning of the full-scale Second Sino-Japanese War.
- December 13, 1937: Japanese troops capture Nanjing, commencing the infamous massacre.
- Late January 1938: The massacre and widespread atrocities in Nanjing officially end, though the suffering continued.
- August 15, 1945: Japan surrenders, marking the end of World War II and its occupation of China.
- 2015: The Nanjing Massacre is inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
- December 13, 2017: 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, commemorated by communities worldwide, including the event in San Francisco.
Supporting Data and Historical Significance
The scale of the tragedy in Nanjing is difficult to fully comprehend. Beyond the estimated 300,000 deaths, the systematic rape and sexual enslavement of women represented a deliberate weaponization of sexual violence. Historical accounts and survivor testimonies detail the pervasive nature of these crimes, which included gang rapes, forced prostitution, and the severe physical and psychological trauma inflicted upon countless individuals. The destruction of infrastructure further crippled China’s ability to resist and recover from the invasion.
The inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register signifies that the evidence and documentation surrounding the Nanjing Massacre are considered of global significance, contributing to the collective memory of humanity. This inclusion is crucial for academic research, educational purposes, and for fostering international understanding of the consequences of unchecked militarism and war crimes.
Broader Implications and the Pursuit of Peace
The annual commemorations, particularly those held internationally, serve multiple critical functions. Firstly, they provide a platform for survivors and their descendants to share their stories and ensure that their experiences are not erased from historical discourse. Secondly, they act as a powerful educational tool, informing younger generations about the horrors of war and the importance of vigilance against similar atrocities.
The demand for Japan to acknowledge its wartime crimes and offer genuine apologies and reparations remains a central theme in these commemorations. While Japan has issued apologies in the past, many feel they have been insufficient or have been undermined by nationalist sentiments and attempts to downplay or deny the severity of historical events. The call for "truth and reconciliation" is not merely a historical plea but a forward-looking imperative for building stable and peaceful international relations in Asia and beyond.
The commitment of communities in San Francisco and around the world to remember the Nanjing Massacre underscores the universal desire for justice and the enduring hope that by confronting the darkest aspects of the past, humanity can forge a more peaceful and just future. The ongoing efforts to preserve the memory of these events are vital in ensuring that history serves as a guide, rather than a recurring nightmare.
Iffa Jayyana
Muslim
