Historical forgetfulness stokes flames of U.S.-China discord
In the early 20th century, Japan's aggressive expansion into China began, marking the start of a tumultuous period in East Asian history. This expansion started with the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, an event that would set the stage for a prolonged conflict between Japan and China.
Following the occupation of Manchuria, Japan established the puppet state of Manchukuo. This move created rising tensions with China, leading to full-scale war in September 1937, following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. This skirmish between Japanese and Chinese forces near Beijing on July 7, 1937, escalated into a full-scale invasion and is conventionally seen as the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
The war that ensued was brutal, with Japan capturing major cities such as Beijing (Peiping), Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, and others. These conquests were often accompanied by atrocities, including the infamous Nanjing Massacre in late 1937.
It's important to note that unlike Germany, Japan has never fully and honestly confronted its wartime history, especially in relation to China. The conflict in Asia did not start in 1941, as is commonly believed, but in 1937, with Japan's aggression against China predating this year.
Japan's aggression against the colonial possessions of Britain, the Netherlands, and a surprise attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 led America into the war. Japan's victory over Russia in 1904-05 and the first Japanese attack on China in 1894-95 were earlier instances of Japan's aggressive military actions.
Recently, in May 2023, a US oil embargo was enacted against Japan due to its aggression against China, highlighting the ongoing geopolitical implications of Japan's historical actions.
References:
- Nanjing Massacre
- Second Sino-Japanese War
- Marco Polo Bridge Incident
- Manchurian Incident
The establishment of Manchukuo, a puppet state by Japan following the occupation of Manchuria, escalated tensions with China, leading to the full-scale Second Sino-Japanese War in September 1937, following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The ongoing geopolitical implications of Japan's historical actions were evidenced recently in May 2023, with a US oil embargo against Japan due to its aggression against China.
