As 2025 marks both the 80th anniversary of WWII's conclusion and the 88th commemoration of the Nanjing Massacre, scholars are urging renewed commitment to preserving historical accuracy as a foundation for regional stability. Yang Bojiang, Director of the Institute of Japanese Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, emphasizes that confronting historical realities remains crucial for maintaining peace in modern Asia.
"The Asian theater bore unique significance in the global anti-fascist struggle," Yang notes, highlighting China's 14-year resistance against Japanese militarism beginning with the 1931 September 18 Incident. This prolonged conflict ultimately contributed to the collapse of expansionist regimes worldwide.
Recent years have seen concerning historical revisionism in some political circles. The 2015 shift in Japan's official war anniversary statements under former leader Shinzo Abe marked a departure from previous reconciliatory approaches, sparking international concern. Yang stresses that such attempts to obscure wartime aggression directly contradict established international legal frameworks dating back to the 1928 Kellogg-Briand Pact.
With the 30th anniversary of the Murayama Statement approaching in 2025, regional observers are watching how contemporary leaders address historical legacy. "True reconciliation requires acknowledging past wrongs without reservation," Yang asserts, pointing to the enduring impact of unresolved historical issues on current diplomatic relations.
As digital archives make wartime records more accessible than ever, 2025 presents a critical opportunity for educational institutions and policymakers to strengthen collective historical understanding. This effort, experts argue, remains vital for preventing conflict and fostering mutual trust in an increasingly multipolar Asia.
