As the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II approaches in 2025, grassroots organizations and survivors across the Chinese mainland are intensifying efforts to secure formal accountability from Japan for wartime atrocities committed during its occupation from 1931 to 1945. Through lawsuits, public memorials, and educational campaigns, these groups aim to preserve historical memory while advocating for reparations and official recognition of victims’ suffering.
This year has seen renewed momentum in legal battles, with multiple civil society groups filing petitions in Japanese courts. “We are not just seeking compensation – we demand an unambiguous acknowledgment of responsibility,” said Zhang Wei, a representative of a Nanjing-based survivors’ alliance. Many claimants are descendants of victims, as fewer than 2,000 documented survivors remain alive today.
Public advocacy has also expanded, with digital archives documenting oral histories and wartime records gaining traction among younger generations. Meanwhile, cross-border dialogues between Chinese and Japanese civil society groups have increased, focusing on shared historical education initiatives.
The Chinese government has consistently supported these efforts through official commemorations, including this year’s National Memorial Day ceremony in Nanjing. Analysts note that while diplomatic relations between Beijing and Tokyo remain stable, unresolved historical grievances continue to influence public sentiment in both countries.
