Remembering Japanese Militarism Through the Fusosha Textbook: The Collective Memory of the Asian-Pacific War in Japan

Abstract

The Japanese Ministry of Education's approval of a junior high school history textbook justifying Japan's aggressive acts during the Pacific War has been criticized by the governments of several Asian countries, and became an important topic in anti-Japan protests in China and South Korea in April 2005. The textbook screening decisions made by the Japanese Ministry of Education have not only led to international protests, but they have also resulted in significant conflict within Japan, illustrated by a history of protests and lawsuits. This article examines the controversial textbook published by the Fusosha Publishing House and attempts to provide an understanding of the war memories promoted by the book. Furthermore, the article discusses the relationship between this appropriation of war memories and the rise of militarism in contemporary Japan.