Controversial declaration about 30 million war-related deaths in Japan sparks uproar, threats of violence
Japan's Dark Secret: A Haunting Comparison to Nazi Atrocities
In a striking revelation, the recently published book Japan's Dark Secret posits that Japanese expansionism from 1927 to 1945 may have led to catastrophes on a scale that outstrips the toll taken by Nazi Germany in Europe. Author Bryan Rigg started researching this controversial topic during his PhD at Yale in 1993, and the book has already sold 6,000 copies, with Korean and Chinese translations in the works.
The book's bombshell claim—that as many as 30 million lives were lost during Japan's reckless campaigns across Asia and the Pacific—hinges on the idea that Emperor Hirohito wasn't merely informed of these atrocities but actively commanded them.
Rigg's chilling narrative recounts mass civilian massacres, the appalling use of rape as a weapon of war, and the torment inflicted on millions in China, Korea, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, which he calls "bottomless and undeniable."
Rigg's assertions resonate strongly, as some Japanese voices continue to shirk accountability for their nation's past transgressions, causing an additional layer of injustice to the memory of those who perished. In an interview with This Week in Asia, Rigg stated, "To this day, the refusal by some Japanese voices to acknowledge this history contributes to a new injustice for those who perished."
Historically, Japanese expansionism claimed a diverse and staggering number of lives across Asia, with estimates ranging from 3 to 10 million deaths[1]. The majority of these losses occurred in China and other parts of Asia.
On the other hand, the Nazi Holocaust in Europe claimed approximately 6 million Jewish lives and millions more of other marginalized communities like Roma, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, and many political dissidents, totaling around 11 million victims during the Holocaust and related atrocities[2].
There are differences between the two events, namely geographical scope and specific focuses of aggression. Japanese expansionism primarily targeted Asia, while the Nazi atrocities were mainly in Europe. While both regimes caused immense suffering, making a direct comparison necessitates historical nuance and careful perspective.
In essence, when viewed from a global lens, the death toll resulting from Japanese expansionism can possibly exceed that of the Holocaust in sheer numbers, considering all Asian victims. However, the Holocaust was unique in its targeted and systematic genocide during a more compact geographical period.
Ultimately, understanding the atrocities perpetrated by both Nazi Germany and the Japanese Empire requires recognizing the distinct contexts and regions affected by their actions. Despite the differences, both regimes inflicted lasting damage to human dignity and life on an unconscionable scale that still echoes today.
The book "Japan's Dark Secret," authored by Bryan Rigg, suggests a potential discrepancy in death tolls between the Holocaust and Japanese expansionism, a scale that might surpass the 11 million lives lost during the Holocaust. Emperor Hirohito, not just informed, but allegedly commanded these atrocities that affected millions across Asia and the Pacific. General-news publishers are now tasked with shedding light on this lesser-known crime-and-justice issue. As Rigg emphasizes, the continued refusal by certain Japanese voices to acknowledge this history perpetuates a new injustice to the millions who perished.
