San Francisco Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, Urging Truth and Reconciliation

Hundreds of activists and members of the Chinese and other Asian communities gathered in San Francisco on Sunday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, a horrific atrocity committed by the Japanese military during World War II. The solemn service, held annually for the past two decades, served as a potent reminder of the brutal war crimes perpetrated by the Imperial Japanese Army and a call to ensure such darkness is never repeated. Organized by a coalition of prominent advocacy 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, the event underscored the enduring quest for acknowledgment, justice, and remembrance.

A Grim Anniversary and a Call for Remembrance

The commemoration, held against the backdrop of a global landscape still grappling with the echoes of past conflicts and the emergence of new geopolitical tensions, focused on the systematic brutality that unfolded in Nanjing, then China’s capital. Zha Liyou, acting Chinese consul general in San Francisco, addressed the assembly, 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." This grim statistic, a testament to the scale of the massacre, continues to resonate deeply within the collective memory of the Chinese people and the international community.

The Nanjing Massacre, a brutal chapter in human history, commenced on December 13, 1937, when Japanese troops captured the city. What followed was a horrific period of over 40 days of systematic slaughter, rape, and destruction. The violence inflicted upon the civilian population was staggering, with estimates of deaths ranging from 200,000 to over 300,000. Beyond the direct killings, tens of thousands of women were subjected to sexual violence, a grim reality that links the Nanjing Massacre inextricably with the plight of "comfort women" – women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military across Asia during the war.

Intertwined Fates: The Nanjing Massacre and Comfort Women

Judith Mirkinson, president of the Comfort Women Justice Coalition, eloquently articulated the interconnectedness of these historical traumas. "Our stories are linked," she stated. "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." This sentiment highlights a broader understanding of the systematic human rights abuses committed by the Japanese military, emphasizing that the suffering in Nanjing was not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern of wartime barbarity.

Mirkinson further underscored the importance of confronting history for the sake of future peace. "The 20th century has been called the most violent century in the history of the world," she observed, "and that one way to ensure peace in the 21st century is through truth and reconciliation." Her impassioned plea for accountability resonated with the assembled attendees: "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." This call for governmental acknowledgment and redress is a central theme for survivors and their advocates, who believe that true reconciliation hinges on an unvarnished acceptance of historical facts.

A Broader Historical Context: Japanese Aggression in China

The events in Nanjing were not an isolated act of brutality but the culmination of years of escalating Japanese aggression in China. Japan’s invasion of Northeast China began in September 1931, escalating into a full-scale invasion of China on July 7, 1937. This protracted period of conflict, often referred to as the Second Sino-Japanese War, lasted until Japan’s surrender in 1945. During this devastating eight-year period, an estimated 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or injured, a staggering human cost that underscores the immense suffering endured by the Chinese nation. The Nanjing Massacre stands as one of the most horrific manifestations of this widespread military campaign.

A National Day of Mourning and Global Solidarity

In recognition of the profound suffering and historical significance of the Nanjing Massacre, the Chinese government has designated December 13th as the National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. This annual commemoration, observed both domestically and by Chinese communities worldwide, serves to honor the victims, remember the survivors, and reinforce the pursuit of justice and lasting peace. This year’s observance in San Francisco, like in previous years, was a testament to this global solidarity, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to historical truth.

The Purpose of Remembrance: Peace, Not Enmity

The act of remembering such a dark period in history is often fraught with the potential for lingering animosity. However, as Zha Liyou articulated, the intention behind these commemorations is not to foster hatred but to serve as a profound lesson. "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," he explained. "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 perspective emphasizes the educational and forward-looking nature of remembrance, aiming to build a future where such atrocities are relegated to the annals of history, never to be repeated.

UNESCO Recognition: A Global Acknowledgment of Heritage

The profound historical and human significance of the Nanjing Massacre has been formally recognized on a global stage. In 2015, the Nanjing Massacre was inscribed onto the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. This prestigious designation acknowledges the massacre as documented heritage of universal value, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations. The inscription represents a significant step in the global effort to acknowledge and understand this tragic event, placing it within the broader context of humanity’s shared history and the importance of safeguarding memory.

Background and Chronology of the Nanjing Massacre

The Nanjing Massacre was a pivotal and horrifying event during the Second Sino-Japanese War, a conflict that began with Japan’s full-scale invasion of China in July 1937. The Japanese Imperial Army, having already established a significant presence in Northeast China following the Mukden Incident of 1931, launched a swift and brutal offensive towards Shanghai and then inland.

Key Dates and Events:

• September 18, 1931: The Mukden Incident, a staged event used by Japan as a pretext to invade and occupy Manchuria.
• July 7, 1937: The Marco Polo Bridge Incident, widely considered the start of the full-scale Second Sino-Japanese War.
• August 1937: The Battle of Shanghai, a prolonged and devastating engagement that resulted in heavy casualties for both sides and a strategic Chinese retreat.
• December 13, 1937: Japanese forces capture Nanjing, the capital of the Republic of China at the time.
• December 13, 1937 – February 1938: The period of the Nanjing Massacre, characterized by widespread killings, rape, looting, and arson.
• 1945: Japan surrenders, ending World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War.
• Post-War Trials: The International Military Tribunal for the Far East and subsequent Chinese trials prosecuted Japanese war criminals, including some involved in the Nanjing Massacre.
• October 2015: The Nanjing Massacre was inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
• December 13, 2017: The 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, commemorated in San Francisco and globally.

Supporting Data and Evidence

The scale and brutality of the Nanjing Massacre are supported by a wealth of evidence, including:

• Eyewitness Testimonies: Thousands of accounts from survivors, Chinese civilians, foreign missionaries, and journalists who were present in Nanjing during the massacre. These testimonies detail acts of extreme violence, mass executions, and widespread rape.
• Photographic and Film Evidence: Extensive photographic and film documentation captured by both Chinese and foreign sources provides graphic visual evidence of the destruction and atrocities.
• Military Records: Documents from both Japanese and Allied forces, including war crime investigations, corroborate the accounts of the massacre.
• Demographic Data: Post-war demographic studies and census data indicate a significant loss of life in Nanjing during the period of occupation.
• International Tribunals: Post-war war crime trials, such as those conducted by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, presented evidence and testimonies related to the Nanjing Massacre, leading to convictions for some perpetrators.

Broader Implications and the Path Forward

The continued commemoration of the Nanjing Massacre holds significant implications for international relations, historical understanding, and the pursuit of global peace.

• Historical Justice and Reconciliation: The ongoing calls for acknowledgment and apology from the Japanese government underscore the persistent demand for historical justice. The lack of a full and unequivocal apology from some segments of Japanese society continues to be a source of tension in Sino-Japanese relations. True reconciliation, as articulated by advocates, requires not only acknowledgment but also a commitment to learning from the past and making amends.
• Preventing Future Atrocities: The lessons learned from the Nanjing Massacre and other wartime atrocities serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression and disregard for human life. By remembering these events, societies are better equipped to recognize and resist the forces that can lead to such horrors.
• Preserving Memory and Combating Denial: The inscription on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register is crucial in combating historical revisionism and denial. It affirms the massacre’s status as a verified historical event of global importance, ensuring its place in the collective memory of humanity.
• Strengthening International Law and Human Rights: The systematic violations of international conventions during the Nanjing Massacre highlight the importance of robust international laws and institutions dedicated to preventing war crimes and protecting human rights. The ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and seek redress for victims reinforce the principles of international justice.

The 80th anniversary commemoration in San Francisco serves as a powerful reminder that the past, however painful, continues to shape the present and inform the future. The persistent voices calling for truth and reconciliation echo the hope that by confronting history with courage and honesty, humanity can forge a more peaceful and just world. The legacy of the Nanjing Massacre is not merely a historical footnote; it is a call to action, urging continuous vigilance against injustice and an unwavering commitment to remembering those who suffered, so that their stories may serve as a beacon for a brighter future.