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AP
People react as they gather to mourn for the victims of 1937 Nanjing Massacre at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012.
The Associated Press reports — Air raid sirens rang again in Nanjing on Thursday to mark 75 years after a bloody invasion by the Japanese imperial army that remains as one of the most sensitive friction points in the shared history of two Asian powers.
On December 13, 1937, the Chinese city fell to Japanese forces; what followed was a massacre of war prisoners, soldiers and citizens, known in the West as the "Rape of Nanking." China maintains as many as 300,000 people died; Japan says the toll was far less.
AP
People gather at the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall on Dec. 13, 2012.
Peter Parks / AFP - Getty Images
A Nanjing massacre survivor, center, cries after placing flowers on a wall with the names of victims at the Memorial Museum in Nanjing on December 13, 2012.
Peter Parks / AFP - Getty Images
Chinese military personnel attend a ceremony at the Memorial Museum in Nanjing on December 13, 2012.
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I just happen to be 2/3 way through reading James Clavel's "Shogun". Not only is this novel a wonderful, page-turning fiction read, it provides an enjoyable way to understand why the Japanese resisted surrendering at the end of WWII, and why we let them keep their emperor.
john a
If you like "Shogun" You should read "king Rat" and "Taipan" also by James Clavel
Sorry, but what does that have to do with the Rape of Nanking? Read up on the unspeakable atrocities that were committed on the Chinese by the Japanese. Many were civilians. They killed thousands of babies (some were cut from the womb) and children in horrific ways. They forced women to pose for lewd photos before they tortured and killed them. It's truly disturbing to read about but it's part of history, so I wanted to learn all I could. There are some excellent books on this subject IF you can stomach what took place. Definitely not "fiction".
Japanese kill even less Chinese than CCP. Japanese were wimps.
Sadly, I would guess that probably 90% of U.S. high school seniors today never heard of the Rape of Nanking.
"The Rape of Nanking" by Iris Chang changed the way I view humanity.
The following is from my book A Nation of No Losers:
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During WW2 and inspired by its ambitious and wicked emperor, Japanese turned themselves into animals to conquer its neighbors.
The shame of the 'The Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere' and 'Comfort Women'. Imagine captured young women are forced to be sex slaves for their army. What kind of monster did the Japanese military become? Is it worse than the German crimes of WW2? At least they did not rape openly.
There was a contest in which two Japanese generals competed over how many Chinese heads could be chopped off with their swords. After beheading over a hundred, one competitor said that it was not fair as his blade was dull. They continued the utter madness by restarting the competition all over again! Was there any conscience?
These soldiers are war criminals. They killed innocent people by tossing babies, looting and raping. They killed anyone taking pictures. Many of these criminals are being paid respect by high officials in the 'shrines'. It is as disguising as paying homage to Hitler. These war criminals should be tracked down and executed.
Instead, they bragged about how they raped young girls as described by these soldiers without remorse in the documentary Nanjing, which you can rent from Netflix. Another teenager 'wanted' to be raped to save her grandpa.
I suggest that one of the atomic bombs should have been dropped on the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and the other one on the 'shrine' instead of killing innocent citizens at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Even this punishment would be too small for such crimes. The Tsunami must be formed by the tears of the victims crying for justice into a killer wave. I feel sorry for the current generation who has to suffer and who has nothing to do with WW2.
Japan today still has very strong navy in disguise. Do not be fooled by them again, or we have not learned our lessons.
The ignorant Japanese mayor said Nanjing Massacre never happened. Japanese, young and old, please use Wikipedia and search for 'Nanjing Massacre' or read the late Iris Chang's book which the documentary firm was based on.
We should not spread hatred especially from one generation to another. However, if we do not learn from history, most likely we will repeat history. I wrote this blog hoping to give a voice to the millions of victims who never have a voice.
What's even sadder is the fact that the Chinese government decides to exploit this great tragedy for propaganda purposes, to stir nationalism and to manipulate public opinion. Most recently it's been exploited in their row with the island dispute with Japan and to sow confusion during the leadership transition. Disgusting.
I didn't learn about any of this in public schools. It's not that I wasn't paying attention, they just flat out did not teach it.
NO they don't teach this in the west. Because they don't look like us, so they are not as important. It is very likely that the Japanese did every bit as much as the Nazis but where are the museums???????? What happened to the Jews is horrible but they have also have been very good at marketing it. Only 35 years ago there were over 3 million killed in Cambodia, what about Rawanda. Lesson is, look like us and be able to market it later.
Of course they taught this in our schools. Wtf are you talking about.
They didn't teach this in Chinese schools either, till late 1970's. So, don't feel bad.
Explains why China is like it is today.
Of course, China is still suspicious of the US primarily because we are friends with Japan, and this is still a major sticking point over normalizing relations with China.
So you are blaming the victims? What kind of sick animal are you? The brutalities of the japanese war criminals was 10 times worst than the Nazi. Even sicker is the fact that japan still has no remorse. They are still worshipping their Class A war criminals as "heroes". These are sub-humans who are lower than cockroaches. japan is warmongering again today. They have built up the world's 2nd most advanced navy, all with the help of you warmongering americans.
All you ignorant americans should come to Toronto to look at the Rape of Nanking exhibit and you will view the disgusting japanese in new lights.
Hey, Cyber...
We ignorant Americans spent lots of lives and treasure bringing down the Empire of Japan. Read up on Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Midway, Palalu, Iwo Jima, Okanowa, the biulding of the B-29, the development of the atomic bomb and a few other things. Then look up the date that Canada declared wasr on Japan. I think you will find that it was after December 8th, the day FDR asked our Congress to decaler war.
Now stick your dumb head back in the snow bank.
dkelley, USA did not declare war on japan until your Pearl Harbor was bombed. That's 4 years after japan officially invaded China. You did it for revenge, not doing what's right. USA also profited tremendously from the War.
Okinawa was a sovereign nation before WWII. It's called Rykuya Islands. After the war, you "gave" it to japan because you needed a place to park all your troops.
A lot of japanese Class A War Criminals were let off the hook by USA because you obtained all the germ warfare data from these war criminals. These data were obtained by using Chinese humans as test subjects.
The atomic bomb technology was obtained from the surrendered Germans. You did not developed this technology.
USA also "gave" the administrative right of Daioyu Islands to japan in 1971, against the advice of Henry Kissinger. Daioyu Islands had been Chinese territories for centuries. Now USA declared to the world that you have no knowledge of ownership of these islands. By doing so, you created all the problems in Asia.
Now who is the stupid ignorant? Stick you dumb head back into the sand.
StopAllyourLies, You are correct that the US did not delcare war on Japan until US territory was attacked. But why wouldn't the US declare war? Would you have preferred that the US entered the war earlier? Pre-emptive war? Under what condition would you have American entry into the Second World War acceptable? I find this confusing because more recently when the US went to war without being directly attacked (i.e. Vietnam and Iraq) the world reacted most negatively.
Also your information regarding the development of the atomic bomb is quite confusing The key personnel invovled in the Manhattan Project included J. Oppenhiemer (American), Enrico Fermi (naturalized American of Italian origin), Edward Teller (naturalized American of Hungarian origin), etc. Who are these "surrendered Germans" you speak of? The atomic bomb development began in 1942, three years before Germany surrendered. I think you might be thinking of rocket technology. Captured German scientists were instrumental in the development of rockets and spacecraft for both the US and USSR after the war.
Now with regards to Japan, I think we both agree. Their brutality, racism, and evil is tremendous. I agree that too much leniency was given to the Japanese leadership after the war. The Emperor should have been executed and the whole imperial system abolished. The needs of the Cold War with the USSR became more of a concern too soon after World War 2. This is why the US wanted Japan quickly transformed into an ally.. to have support in the Pacific against the USSR and the new PRC. The fact that Imperial Japan massacred tens of millions of Chinese is a fact that should never be disputed. The fact that Japan has never propoerly atoned for its crimes is disturbing. At least Germany has atoned. I agree Japan has not and they still honor their "heroes" I believe China is entitles to all of these disputed islands not just because of historical claims, but also because Japan does not deserve anything.
Japanese killed less Chinese than CCP. CCP's is great. Japanese were just wimps.
So what day is the "The Raping of Tibet"? They cry about it when something bad happens to them but show no remorse for the atrocities they commit. I'm not saying that what the Japanese did was right but the door swings both ways here.
I think they should also celebrate Opium wars.
WTF,
As a former high school history teacher, I know that the "The Rape of Nanking" was taught in my school. While I taught American History I actually got some criticism from Parents for discussing some of the atrocities in U.S. History. Some of my World History colleagues were very diligent in presenting the Horrors of World War II. I had the opportunity as student in a Masters level course on Modern German History to learn first hand from a Holocaust Survivor the true horrors of W.W. II. It is sad but that history is now being ignored in some schools.
Holocaust pales in comparison with Rape of Nanjing.
And Rape of Nanjing pales in comparison with Cultural Revolution in any one of the thousands of Chinese cities. But that was Chinese killing Chinese, and is to be expected.
@ lacompa
Which they have been doing for centuries. Ever hear of the Qin Dynasty and the "Warring States"?
There has always been history books by different authors covering different nations. Rape of Nanking by the Japanese Imperial Army is just one facet of the atrocities committed against Chinese people- Japanese wrested Manchuria away from China (Kuomingtang)-annexed it as Manchukuo- had Chinese workers (coolies) working in their railway/mining consortiums. Little is also mentioned in US of the medical experiments with different infectious diseases on Chinese (they surfaced much later when participants talked and pointed to graves. Cruelty with sadism. Today as China marks the 75th anniversery of Rape of Nanking- Japanese F-16 planes-altogether 8- responded to China sending a maritime patrol plane B-3837 to accompany their maritime boats around Diaoyu Islands for territorial waters China claims are theirs while Tokyo claims same Islands as Senkaku Islands. This 'Islands War' has been going on for ca. 6 months started by Japanese detaining Chinese fishermen all the way back to Japan. There are demonstrations in China against Japan/Japanese and the trade between China and Japan has suffered greatly. Globaltimes.cn
What is interesting is that the Rape of Nanjing wasn't in Chinese text books before 1979.
Hey Henrich (Himmler) you are full of S#$@. The Holcaust killed more than 6 million Jews as well as another 6 million Russian POWS, Gypsies, homosexuals and others. Nanking,
although atrocious doesn't even come close.
From 1937 to 1945 close to 30 million Chinese were murdered by the Japanes army. The Nanjing Massacre only examplifies the horrific and barbaric nature in which the killing was carried out. Also in WWII 28 million Russians parished in the fight against German invasion.
Holocaust pales in comparison, and the death by gas is like mercy killing with the way Chinese were murdered.
No doubt you are one of those zionist who thinks only jews were the victims. You are full of S#$@ not me.
From 1950 to 1979, 80 million Chinese were killed by Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution and other class and power struggles. But that's Chinese killing Chinese. They don't count.
Same way americans killed each other in the civil war
Hey Tim, Naking is just one city. More than 300,000 people got murdered just in one city. Over the period of 8 years, from (1937-1945), China has lost more than 20 million people. Now, compare that with Holocaust.
Both Rape of Naking and Holocaust are despicable crimes against humanity. There are some key differences between Germany and Japan. Germany admit his mistake and feels remorseful, while Japan still worshiping their Class A criminals. Some Japanese don't even admit rape of Nanking exist.
Japan needs to learn his lesson. And the world needs to make sure Japan and Germany will never do this again to any nation.
ticks, agreed with everything you said, except 1 fact:
over 33 million, not 20 million, of Chinese civilians were slaughtered by the japanese.
I wonder when the Chinese government will honor the 10s of millions who were butchered under Mao's rule. Just sayin.....
China is our biggest future enemy and they CAN beat us. Why so many business are still in China is a great mystery. There's a very good chance that all foreign assets in China will be seized with a big enough excuse --- like in reaction to the world's actions when China's reclaims Formosa! And China's military doctrine contains a "denial of access" component!
The enemy of my enemy is my friend come's to mind .
Chinese is not our biggest future enemy. CCP was, is and will be the greatest enemy of China.
Chiona continues to stoke anger in its citizens for its own aims to continue tensions between China and Japan. Never does China allow demonstrations by its citizens unless it serves a purpose to the government. There is no such thing as a spontaneous demonstration in China. These things are sanctioned and organized by the communist regime to prevent its people from demonstrating their anger against the regime for its corruption and extreme shortcomings.
The tension between PRC and Japan is necessary for CCP's hold on power in China.
The jap's are still in denial on this incedent, as they are still in denial on WW II incedents. That is also why we should never vacate there lands. They lost the war they started and have been conquered.
They lost the war. That's what Japan said about China in 1942 as well. And Japan is holding on Okinawa and Senkaku for the same reason. Your rationale justified Japanese action completely. The winner can do whatever it wants to, even killing hundreds of thousands.