Divergent Memories: Opinion Leaders and the Asia-Pacific War

by Gi-Wook Shin, Daniel Sneider

Overview

No nation is free from the charge that it has a less-than-complete view of the past. History is not simply about recording past events—it is often contested, negotiated, and reshaped over time. Debate over the history of World War II in Asia remains surprisingly intense, and Divergent Memories examines the opinions of powerful individuals to pinpoint the sources of conflict: from Japanese colonialism in Korea and atrocities in China to the American decision to use atomic weapons against Japan.

Rather than labeling others' views as "distorted" or ignoring dissenting voices to create a monolithic historical account, Gi-Wook Shin and Daniel Sneider pursue a more fruitful approach: analyzing how historical memory has developed, been formulated, and even been challenged in each country. By identifying key factors responsible for these differences, Divergent Memories provides the tools for readers to both approach their own national histories with reflection and to be more understanding of others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804799706
Publisher:	Stanford University Press
Publication date:	09/07/2016
Series:	Studies of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	376
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Gi-Wook Shin is the Tong Yang, Korea Foundation, Korea Stanford Alumni Chair of Korean Studies; Professor of Sociology; Director of the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center; and Director of the Korea Program at Stanford University. Daniel Sneider is the Associate Director for Research of the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University, and, with Gi-Wook Shin, is Co-Director of the Divided Memories and Reconciliation Project.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

I Introduction

1 Historical Memory, National Identity, and International Relations 3

II National Memories

2 Fashioning a Patriotic Narrative in Contemporary China 23

3 Confronting Collaboration in Korea 64

4 Multiple Memories of War in Postwar Japan 100

5 The Uncomfortable War: The Pacific War in American Memory 147

III Divided Memories: The Major Controversies

6 Japanese Colonial Rule, Forced Labor, and Comfort Women 195

7 The Sino-Japanese War and Japanese War Crimes 214

8 The War in the Pacific 231

9 The Atomic Bombings of Japan 249

10 The United States and Postwar Settlements 266

IV Conclusion

11 Toward Historical Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific 293

Appendix: Opinion, Leaders Interviewed 311

Notes 315

Index 345

Editorial Reviews

"Divergent Memories is a wonderful contribution that shows how differently Asian wars were perceived by Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and Americans. It breaks through stereotypes by revealing the nuanced views of opinion leaders in all four countries. By digging deeper, Shin and Sneider help pave the way for replacing hateful passions with compassionate understanding."—Ezra Vogel, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University

"Divergent Memories is a stimulating and comprehensive account of key issues relating to memory and history in East Asia. It offers a series of intriguing and important contrasts between China, Japan and Korea, as well as the US. A valuable new resource for scholars and general readers interested in the past and future of the Asia-Pacific."—Rana Mitter, Oxford Universityand author of Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945

"The Asia-Pacific War ended two generations ago but history wars are still fought in East Asia today. Mobilizing evidence from interviews to pop culture to textbooks, the authors show how personal experience, political change, regional diplomacy, and national identity shaped war narratives; they also suggest a path to armistice. This book is essential reading."—Peter Duus, Stanford University

"This book is an important counterweight to prevailing tendencies that promote uncritical nationalism and is thus an invaluable resource for this generation's Asian and American youth to gain a critical understanding of their national histories...[T]he authors' non-judgmental approach, coupled with a persistence in pursuing the multiple interpretations and experiences of these traumatic events, provoke a reconsideration of our notions of justice, equality, and humanity within our nationalist thinking."—Grace Huang, Journal of American-East Asian Relations

"[Divergent Memories], a well-written investigation on the legacy of World War II in Asia, greatly contributes to the field of cultural and military history."—Mel Vasquez, H-War

From the Publisher

"The Asia-Pacific War ended two generations ago but history wars are still fought in East Asia today. Mobilizing evidence from interviews to pop culture to textbooks, the authors show how personal experience, political change, regional diplomacy, and national identity shaped war narratives; they also suggest a path to armistice. This book is essential reading."

Stanford University - Peter Duus

"[Divergent Memories], a well-written investigation on the legacy of World War II in Asia, greatly contributes to the field of cultural and military history."

H-War - Mel Vasquez

"Divergent Memories is a wonderful contribution that shows how differently Asian wars were perceived by Chinese, Koreans, Japanese, and Americans. It breaks through stereotypes by revealing the nuanced views of opinion leaders in all four countries. By digging deeper, Shin and Sneider help pave the way for replacing hateful passions with compassionate understanding."

Harvard University - Ezra Vogel

"Divergent Memories is a stimulating and comprehensive account of key issues relating to memory and history in East Asia. It offers a series of intriguing and important contrasts between China, Japan and Korea, as well as the US. A valuable new resource for scholars and general readers interested in the past and future of the Asia-Pacific."

Oxford Universityand author of Forgotten Ally: China's World War II, 1937-1945 - Rana Mitter

"This book is an important counterweight to prevailing tendencies that promote uncritical nationalism and is thus an invaluable resource for this generation's Asian and American youth to gain a critical understanding of their national histories...[T]he authors' non-judgmental approach, coupled with a persistence in pursuing the multiple interpretations and experiences of these traumatic events, provoke a reconsideration of our notions of justice, equality, and humanity within our nationalist thinking."

Journal of American-East Asian Relations - Grace Huang