Suro Senen
A solemn memorial service marking the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, a horrific atrocity committed during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), convened hundreds of activists and members of Chinese and other Asian communities on Sunday in San Francisco. This significant gathering served as a poignant reminder of the brutal events of December 1937 and the subsequent weeks, a period etched into the collective memory as one of the darkest chapters of World War II in Asia. The annual commemoration, now in its twentieth year, is a collaborative effort by several dedicated organizations, 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. Their collective mission is unequivocal: to expose the systematic war crimes perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army and to foster a deeper understanding of history, ensuring that such heinous acts are never forgotten.
The Historical Context: Japan’s Expansion and the Fall of Nanjing
To comprehend the full gravity of the Nanjing Massacre, it is essential to contextualize it within the broader framework of Japan’s aggressive expansionist policies in East Asia during the 1930s. Japan, a rising military power, had long harbored ambitions of establishing a "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere," effectively dominating the region. This ambition manifested in various acts of aggression, beginning notably with the Mukden Incident in September 1931, which served as a pretext for Japan’s invasion and subsequent occupation of Manchuria, establishing the puppet state of Manchukuo. The full-scale invasion of China escalated dramatically following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, marking the official start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
As Japanese forces advanced rapidly into Chinese territory, they employed overwhelming military might and brutal tactics. Shanghai fell after a fierce and protracted battle, paving the way for the assault on Nanjing. Nanjing, then the capital of the Republic of China, held immense symbolic and strategic importance. Its capture was a primary objective for the Japanese high command. After intense fighting, the city ultimately fell on December 13, 1937. What followed was not merely a military occupation but an unleashing of unprecedented violence and savagery upon the civilian population and disarmed soldiers, lasting for approximately six weeks.
The Atrocities Unfold: A Reign of Terror
The scale and nature of the atrocities committed in Nanjing defied international conventions and basic human decency. Zha Liyou, acting Chinese consul general in San Francisco, articulated the stark facts at the memorial service, stating, "The Japanese army blatantly violated international conventions and committed the extremely cruel atrocity in Nanjing, where 300,000 Chinese were murdered and one-third of the buildings were destroyed." This staggering death toll, a figure widely accepted by Chinese historical scholarship and enshrined in the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall, represents a deliberate campaign of mass killings, torture, rape, and destruction.
Eyewitness accounts from foreign residents who remained in Nanjing, particularly those within the International Safety Zone, painted a chilling picture of the unfolding horror. These individuals, mostly missionaries, doctors, and businessmen, documented the systematic nature of the violence in diaries, letters, and reports, often risking their own lives to protect Chinese civilians. Figures like John Rabe, a German Nazi Party member who utilized his political affiliation to protect a designated safety zone, and Minnie Vautrin, an American missionary who saved thousands of women and girls, became unlikely heroes in the midst of unimaginable evil. Their testimonies and efforts provide crucial historical evidence of the massacre.
The Japanese troops engaged in widespread mass executions, often using bayonets for practice or machine guns to mow down groups of prisoners and civilians. Looting, arson, and wanton destruction were rampant, leading to the devastation of much of the city’s infrastructure and cultural heritage. However, one of the most horrifying aspects of the massacre was the systematic sexual violence. Tens of thousands of women, ranging from young girls to the elderly, were subjected to gang rape, sexual mutilation, and murder. This aspect of the atrocity underscores the deliberate dehumanization of the Chinese population by the invading forces.
The Link to "Comfort Women" and Broader War Crimes
The sexual violence in Nanjing was not an isolated incident but part of a broader, institutionalized system of sexual slavery perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army throughout its occupied territories. Judith Mirkinson, president of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition, powerfully connected these dots at the San Francisco service: "Our stories are linked. 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." These women, euphemistically referred to as "comfort women," were forcibly recruited or coerced into sexual servitude in military brothels. Victims primarily included women from Korea, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and other occupied territories.
The "comfort women" system represents one of the largest cases of state-sponsored human trafficking and sexual slavery in modern history. It highlights a pervasive pattern of wartime sexual violence that extended far beyond Nanjing, leaving an indelible scar on countless lives and the historical consciousness of East Asia. The fight for justice for "comfort women" survivors, many of whom are now elderly, continues to be a central demand in the broader calls for accountability for Japan’s wartime actions.
The Enduring Quest for Truth and Reconciliation
The memorial service in San Francisco, like countless others held globally, serves not only as a remembrance but also as a powerful platform for advocacy. The call for truth and reconciliation resonated strongly among the attendees. "Reconciliation does not come without truth. So the Japanese government must acknowledge their crimes," Mirkinson asserted. She further emphasized the necessity for Japan to "give justice to those few people who still survive from the Nanjing Massacre and to the memory of what happened there."
The concept of reconciliation, particularly in the context of historical atrocities, is complex. It often necessitates a full and unambiguous acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the perpetrating nation, followed by formal apologies, compensation to victims, and educational efforts to ensure future generations understand the past. While various Japanese governments have issued statements expressing remorse for wartime actions, victim groups and many international observers argue that these apologies have often been insufficient, inconsistent, or undermined by contradictory actions, such as visits by high-ranking officials to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors convicted war criminals alongside other war dead.
Zha Liyou clarified the motivation behind these commemorations, stating, "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." This perspective underscores a desire for historical clarity as a foundation for future peace and cooperation, rather than fostering perpetual resentment. The emphasis is on learning from the past to prevent its recurrence.
Global Recognition and Commemorative Efforts
The global Chinese community has united in efforts to commemorate this historic event, which the Chinese government officially designated as National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. This national recognition elevates the remembrance to a state-level observance, reinforcing its importance within China and among the diaspora.
A significant international milestone occurred in 2015 when the Nanjing Massacre was officially entered onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. This designation, aimed at preserving documented heritage of universal value, provides international recognition of the massacre’s historical significance and the importance of its documentation. The inclusion in the UNESCO register serves as a powerful testament to the overwhelming evidence of the atrocities and strengthens the argument against historical revisionism. It also places the Nanjing Massacre alongside other pivotal historical records deemed essential for humanity’s collective memory.
Beyond official designations, grassroots organizations and community groups worldwide play a crucial role in keeping the memory alive. The San Francisco memorial is a prime example of such efforts, bringing together diverse communities to ensure that the victims are honored and the lessons of history are not lost. These events often involve educational programs, historical exhibitions, and testimonies from survivors or their descendants, aiming to reach a broader audience and foster intergenerational understanding.
Broader Implications for Regional Relations and Human Rights
The legacy of the Nanjing Massacre and other wartime atrocities continues to profoundly impact East Asian international relations, particularly between China, Japan, and South Korea. Historical issues frequently surface in diplomatic exchanges, trade disputes, and cultural narratives, demonstrating the deep-seated nature of unresolved historical grievances. The ongoing debate over historical interpretation, textbook content, and the sufficiency of apologies remains a significant hurdle to full reconciliation and closer regional integration.
The 20th century has often been described as the most violent in human history, a period marked by two world wars and numerous conflicts. Judith Mirkinson highlighted this point, suggesting that "one way to ensure peace in the 21st century is through truth and reconciliation." The Nanjing Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked militarism, extreme nationalism, and the systematic dehumanization of an enemy. It underscores the critical importance of upholding human rights, even and especially during wartime, and the imperative for international law to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable.
The lessons from Nanjing extend beyond East Asia, serving as a universal warning about the dangers of historical amnesia and the vital role of education in promoting peace. By remembering such atrocities, humanity is challenged to confront its capacity for cruelty and to strive for a future built on mutual respect, understanding, and the unwavering commitment to human dignity. The continued efforts to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre, eight decades later, are not just about looking back, but about building a more just and peaceful future for all.
Asep Darmawan
Nana
