Siti Muinah
A somber commemoration marking the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, a horrific event perpetrated by the Japanese military during World War II, drew hundreds of activists and members of the Chinese and broader Asian communities to San Francisco on Sunday. The annual memorial service, held for the past two decades, aims to ensure that the brutal war crimes committed by the Imperial Japanese Army are not forgotten and to foster a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in history.
A Legacy of Atrocity: The Nanjing Massacre
The Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanjing, began on December 13, 1937, when Japanese troops captured the then-capital of China, Nanjing. What followed was a period of unbridled terror and violence that lasted for more than 40 days. Historical accounts and survivor testimonies detail the systematic slaughter of an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers. In addition to the mass killings, the occupying forces engaged in widespread rape, looting, and destruction, leaving approximately one-third of the city in ruins.
This brutal campaign was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of aggression by Imperial Japan. The invasion of Northeast China began in September 1931, escalating into a full-scale invasion on July 7, 1937. The subsequent eight years of Japanese occupation resulted in an estimated 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians killed or injured, a staggering human cost that underscores the immense suffering inflicted upon China during this period.
Commemoration and Calls for Accountability
The memorial service, organized by a coalition of prominent 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, served as a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and the ongoing pursuit of justice.
Zha Liyou, acting Chinese consul general in San Francisco, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the gravity of the events. "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," he stated. His words underscored the systematic nature of the violence and its devastating impact on the civilian population.
The Interconnectedness of Suffering: Comfort Women and the Massacre
The Nanjing Massacre is intrinsically linked to the suffering of countless 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. "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," she explained.
Mirkinson’s statement draws attention to the systematic sexual violence that was a hallmark of Japanese military operations across Asia. The "comfort women" system, a euphemism for the forced sexual slavery of women, primarily from Korea and China, but also from other occupied territories, represents another egregious war crime that demands acknowledgment and justice.
The Path to Peace: Truth and Reconciliation
Mirkinson further articulated a powerful message regarding the path to lasting peace in the 21st century. She noted that the 20th century has been widely recognized as the most violent in human history, and that achieving peace in the current century hinges on the principles of truth and reconciliation.
"Reconciliation does not come without truth," she asserted. "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." This call for acknowledgment and justice from the Japanese government remains a central demand of survivors and their advocates worldwide.
National Recognition and Global Memory
In recognition of the profound historical significance and the immense human toll of the Nanjing Massacre, the Chinese government officially designated December 13th as the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. This designation ensures that the event is formally remembered and commemorated within China, fostering a collective memory and a commitment to never forget the sacrifices made.
Globally, efforts to preserve the historical record of the Nanjing Massacre have gained traction. In 2015, the Nanjing Massacre archives were inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. This prestigious designation acknowledges the documentary heritage of the event as being of universal value, signifying its importance to the collective memory of humanity.
Remembering to Foster Peace, Not Enmity
Consul General Zha Liyou eloquently articulated the purpose behind these commemorations: "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 sentiment highlights the educational and forward-looking aspect of remembering past atrocities. By confronting historical truths, the aim is to prevent their recurrence and to cultivate a global culture of peace and understanding.
He further added, "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." The enduring memory of the massacre serves as a testament to the resilience of the victims and a stark warning against the consequences of unchecked aggression and brutality.
Historical Context and Chronology
- September 18, 1931: Japan invades Northeast China, marking the beginning of a prolonged period of aggression.
- July 7, 1937: The Marco Polo Bridge Incident triggers the full-scale Japanese invasion of China.
- December 13, 1937: Japanese troops capture Nanjing, the capital of China, initiating the massacre.
- December 1937 – February 1938: The Nanjing Massacre unfolds over more than 40 days, characterized by mass killings, rape, and destruction.
- August 15, 1945: Japan surrenders, ending World War II and its occupation of China.
- 2015: The Nanjing Massacre archives are inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
- December 13, 2017: 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, commemorated in San Francisco and globally.
Supporting Data and Broader Implications
The scale of the Nanjing Massacre is difficult to fully comprehend. The estimated 300,000 deaths represent a significant portion of Nanjing’s pre-war population. The destruction of infrastructure had long-lasting economic and social consequences for the city and for China as a whole. Beyond the immediate casualties, the psychological trauma inflicted upon survivors and their descendants continues to resonate through generations.
The ongoing debate surrounding historical memory and accountability in East Asia, particularly concerning Japan’s wartime actions, has significant implications for regional stability and international relations. The reluctance of some Japanese political factions to fully acknowledge and apologize for war crimes continues to be a source of friction with neighboring countries, including China and South Korea.
The commemoration in San Francisco underscores the importance of diaspora communities in keeping historical memories alive and advocating for justice on the international stage. By organizing these events, they ensure that the voices of victims are heard and that the lessons of history are transmitted to future generations, fostering a global commitment to peace and human rights. The sustained effort to document, remember, and educate about the Nanjing Massacre serves as a crucial counterpoint to any attempts at historical revisionism, reinforcing the imperative of truth in building a more just and peaceful world.
Reynand Wu
