National History Textbooks in East Asia

National History Textbooks in East Asia

This page compares textbooks of modern history in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. Each country has own principle to edit its textbook. While Japan, South Korea and Taiwan support the value of liberal democracy, the purpose of history education in China is to sustain the dictatorship of Communist Party. While South Korea and China are very anti-Japan, Taiwan is relatively pro-Japan. Such differences result in different description of the same historical event. In the case of war, of course each country justifies itself and blame the enemy.
English translations are only summaries and the quality is not guaranteed. This is why the original texts are shown. Texts from Chinese and Taiwanese textbooks are pseud Chinese written in Japanese Kanji. In a quotation, for example, "J:xx" refers to the page xx in Japanese textbook. The meaning of capitals J, K, C and T will be very evident.

J:『新編　新しい歴史教科書』自由社, 2009.
In Japan, school textbooks are investigated and permitted by the government. There were seven textbooks of Japanese history for junior high school students in the academic year 2010. This textbook published by Jiyusha was permitted in 2009, descending the Fusosha version permitted in 2000. This Jiyusha version and old Fusosha version were written by right wing revisionists and are supposed to be one of the most nationalistic textbooks. China and South Korea have shown strong hostility against these nationalistic textbooks. Left wing activists that are sympathetic to China and Korea have been making severe protests against municipalities that decided to use these textbooks. As the result, this Jiyusha edition was used only in 1% of junior high schools in 2010.

K: 국사편찬위원회, 국정도서편찬위원회, 교육과학기술부, "중학교 국사," 2009년 3월 1일 8쇠 발행.
In South Korea, only the government could edit and publish a textbook of Korean history in the primary education. The history education has been the focus of ideological battle between the left and right. As the result, the curriculum in the secondary education is rapidly changing and a governmental textbook is not used anymore in high schools. I don't know what change is going on in the primary level. At least in the academic year of 2009, this governmental edition was the only textbook in junior high school.

C1: 課程教材研究所・歴史課程教材研究開発中心編著『中国歴史八年級上冊』人民教育出版社, 2009年6月第10次印刷.
C2: 課程教材研究所・歴史課程教材研究開発中心編著『中国歴史八年級下冊』人民教育出版社, 2010年11月第9次印刷.
Also in China, only the government can edit history textbooks. These textbooks were used for the 8th grade students in 2011. While the volume 1 (C1) contains modern Chinese history from the First Opium War in 1840 to the end of the World War II , the volume 2 (C2) describes from the establishment of People's Republic of China to the present.

T: 教育部審定，國民中學一年級下學期適用『社會２』南一書局, 2008.
Taiwan has the permission system as in Japan and most developed countries for national history textbooks. This textbook is for the latter half of the 7th grade students and was published by Nanyi Books Company in Tainan City. This is a textbook of society, including geography, history and other social sciences. The history part describes from the annexation to Japan in 1905 to the present.

Western Impact

In East Asia, Taiwan was the earliest to experience the Western Impact. The Dutch East India Company occupied the Southern part of Taiwan in 1624 and ruled for 38 years. At that time, there was no government in Taiwan where only aborigines and pirates inhabited. In 1661, Konxinga was defeated by the Qing dynasty and moved into Taiwan to push out the Dutch. The Qing dynasty invaded Taiwan in 1683 and ruined the government of Zheng clan. This marks the annexation of Taiwan to China.

In the 19th century, the British military power was strong enough to threat the Qing dynasty. Qing was defeated in the First Opium War and was forced to sign the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. The Chinese textbook asserts that China lost because the Daoguang Emperor was coward and incompetent. Such factors as Sinocentrism or ignorance of Western power are not mentioned in this textbook.

那時，清軍在福建以北防務空虚，英軍攻陷浙江定海，又継続北上，直逼天津。道光帝十分惊恐，派直隶総督琦善与英軍談判，后将林則徐撤職査弁。(C1:4)
At that time, the Qing dynasty did not have defense forces in the north from Fujian. When the British occupied Tianjin, the Daoguang Emperor was frightened and sent Qishan to make peace and fired Lin Zexu.

According to the Japanese textbook, Japan was shocked by the Opium War even more than China itself. The textbook proudly describes the ability of Japan to collect information on foreign affairs.

この情報は日本にもたらされ，大きな衝撃を与えた^[1]。
[1] アヘン戦争の情報は「オランダ風説書」を通して日本に伝えられ，民衆にも広まった。(J:135)
Details of the Opium War were informed to Japan by the Dutch and even ordinary people knew them.

When the U.S. commodore M.C. Perry came to Japan to open the country, the Tokugawa shogunate knew that Japan cannot resist for a long time. Thus, Japan concluded the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854. Anti-bakufu hans such as Satsuma and Choshu devoted themselves to the “Sonno Joi” movement expelling foreigners. But they quickly learned the necessity to accept Western institute and technologies through battles with Western nations.

日本は江戸時代を通じて，武家社会という面があり，列強の軍事的脅威に敏感に反応した。とくに薩摩と長州の二つの有力な藩が幕末に欧米諸国と戦争をした結果，欧米と日本の力の差を痛切に認識し，西洋文明を積極的に学ぶ方向に政策を転換した。(J:148)
Japan was a military country in the Tokugawa period and was sensitive to the Western threat. Major hans such as Satsuma and Choshu realized the difference in military power after they fought against Western countries and decided to learn the Western civilization.

Even after China and Japan opened to the West, Korea stayed as the “hermit nation.” Although France and the U.S. attacked Korea in 1866 and 1871, respectively, these expeditions were unsuccessful. The Korean textbook evaluates such exclusionism rather positively.

서양과 일본에 대한 조선의 통상 수교 거부 정책은 우리 나라가 서양의 새로운 문물을 받아들이는 시기를 늦어지게 한 문제점도 있으나, 외세의 침략을 막으려 한 자주적 성격을 지니고 있었다. (K:194)
While the foreign expelling policy delayed the acceptance of the Western civilization, it was expression of autonomy to stop the foreign invasion.

Japan-Qing War

In 1894, the Yi dynasty of Korea asked of the Qing dynasty to send the army to repress the Tonghak riot. Japan also sent its army and the Japan-Qing War (First Sino-Japanese War) broke out. The Japanese textbook describes as follows;

わずかな兵力しかもたない朝鮮王朝は，清に鎮圧のための出兵を求めたが，日本も清との申しあわせを口実に軍隊を派遣し，日清両軍が衝突して日清戦争がはじまった。(J:164)
Korean dynasty had little military force and had to ask Qing to send the army for repression. Japan also sent its army based on the promise with Qing and the Japan-Qing War started.

The Korean textbook writes that Japan sent the army even though Korea did not ask, and that the war broke out by Japan's provocation.

전주 화약을 맺은 후 농민군이 해산하자, 정부는 일본군의 철수를 요구하였다. 그러나 일본은 이를 거부하고 오히려 궁궐을 침범하였으며, 청-일전쟁을 일으켰다.(K:209)
After the peace was made with the rebel, the government asked Japan to withdraw. However, Japan denied and invaded the palace, outbreaking the Qing-Japan War.

According to the Chinese textbook, Japan already had intention to invade China at that time.

1894年，日本為実現征服朝鮮，侵略中国，称覇世界的夢想，出兵占領朝鮮国都漢城，接着，又発動侵略戦争。這一年是旧暦甲午年，因此，這次戦争叫做“甲午中日戦争”。(C1:16)
In 1894, Japan occupied the Korean capital to dominate Korean peninsula, to invade China and to show its supremacy for the world. Then, they started an invasion war. Because this year was Yang Wood Horse in sexagenary cycle, this war is called "Yang Wood Horse China-Japan War".

The Japanese textbook has only a brief description on the process of war.

戦場は朝鮮のほか，満州（中国東北部）南部などに広がり，日本は陸戦でも海戦でも清を圧倒し，勝利した。(J:164)
The battle field expanded from Korea to Southern Manchuria. Japan overwhelmed Qing both on the land and the water.

On the other hand, the Chinese textbook has very detailed descriptions on the Battle on the Yellow Sea (Battle of the Yalu River) and the Port Arthur Massacre. After the Battle on the Yellow Sea, the Beiyang fleet of China could not operate again and Japan took the command of the sea. However, the Chinese textbook asserts that the Beiyang fleet won.

経過五個多少時激戦，日本艦隊首先退出戦場。北洋艦隊精作追撃，随後返航。(C1:17)
After the fierce fight for five hours, the Japanese fleet first withdrew from the battle field. The Beiyang fleet attempted to chase it, and then returned to the port.

The Chinese textbook eagerly praises a Chinese admiral Deng Shichang, mobilizing a sad story about his dog.

他下命開足馬力，朝日艦撞去。日艦慌忙躱避，同時放炮，撃沈致遠艦。鄧世昌与二百余名戦士壮烈犠牲。(C1:17)
He ordered to make his cruiser Chih Yuen to rush at a Japanese ship. The Japanese were frightened and shot cannons to sink Chih Yuen. Deng Shichang and his 200 men died heroically.

他的愛犬飛速游来，街住他的衣服，使他无法下沈。鄧世昌几次用力想把愛犬赶走，但它死死街住不放。鄧世昌狠了狠心，用手将愛犬按入水中。不一会，他們就一起沈入碧波……(C1:16)
His dog swiftly swam to him, bit his close and tried to save him. Deng Shichang attempted to push out the dog, but the dog never accepted to leave the master alone. Finally, Deng gave up saving his dog and went under the water together……

The Japanese textbook proudly asserts the reason of victory as follows;

日本の勝因としては，新兵器の装備に加え，軍隊の訓練・規律にまさっていたことがあげられるが，その背景には，日本人全体の意識が，国民として一つにまとまっていたことがある。(J:164-165)
The reasons of victory include equipment of new weapons, better trained and disciplined military forces, and more than anything, the solidity of the Japanese people.

There is no analysis on the causes of defeat in the Chinese textbook. Instead, it attempts to raise the anger of readers both through texts and graphics.

日本軍占領旅順後，瘋狂屠殺当地居民，死難者近両万人。(C1:17)
After the Japanese occupied the Port Arthur, they committed a terrible massacre. The number of victims was almost twenty thousands.

The Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895 demanded Qing to hand over Taiwan to Japan. The Chinese textbook asserts that the Taiwanese people extremely hated to be annexated to Japan and desparately resisted.

台湾人民鳴鑼罷市，集会示威，発誓“愿人人戦死而失台，决不愿拱手而譲台。”(C1:17)
The Taiwanese people came out on strike and demonstration march, shouting “we will never give up Taiwan, rather will die.”

不久，台湾全部滄喪。但是，台湾各族人民反抗日本殖民統治，争取回帰祖国的斗争一刻也没有停止過。(C1:18)
Before long, Japan occupied the whole island. However, the Taiwanese people never stopped resisting against the Japanese rule until they returned to China.

The intention of Chinese editors seems to make students believe that the Taiwanese enthusiastically support “One China” policy and always want to come back to China. However, the Taiwanese textbook does not support such a myth.

士紳為維持秩序，議請日軍入城。日人隨即在臺北擧行始政典禮。之後，日軍繼續南下，雖在部分地區曽遭民衆抵抗，但終於迫使鎮守臺南的劉永福離臺，日本控制全臺，展開長達五十年的殖民統治。(T:69)
The leaders of Taipei asked of the Japanese army to enter the city to sustain security. The Japanese quickly occupied Taipei and had a ceremony of launching their regime. After that, the Japanese army started proceeding to the South. Although there were some resistances, General Liu Yongfu gave up Tainan city and escaped to the mainland. Japan occupied the whole island and governed for fifty years.

Triple Intervention

The Shimonoseki Treaty decided to cede not only Taiwan but also the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. However, Russia also desired to possess the peninsula and persuaded France and Germany to force Japan to give it up. Japan reluctantly agreed to return the Liaodong Peninsula in exchange for 30 million tales. According to the Chinese textbook, it was still shameful to pay money for it.

俄国認為，日本占領遼東半島，阻碍自己向中国東北拡張侵略勢力。于是，它糾合法德両国出面干渉，迫使日本把遼東半島帰還中国。但是，清政府必須給日本3000万両白銀，作為“購遼費”。(C1:17)
Russia recognized that Japan’s possession of the Liaodong Peninsula would be obstacle to realize its own ambition. Thus, Russia intervened together with France and Germany to force Japan to return the peninsula to China. However, the Qing government had to pay 30 million tales to “purchase back” it.

The Japanese textbook evaluates that the Triple Intervention drove the abhorrence against Russia and determination for the war.

日本は，中国の故事にある「臥薪嘗胆」を合言葉に，官民挙げてロシアに対抗するための国力の充実に努めるようになった。(J:165)
Under the slogan of "Perseverance and Determination,” the whole Japanese people decided to foster the nation’s power to challenge Russia.

The Korean Court was deeply impressed by the Russian power. According to the Korean textbook, the Triple Intervention led the Korean government to invite Russian influence to Korea to preclude Japan’s ambition.

삼국 간섭으로 러시아 세력의 우위가 드러나자, 일본에 대해 불만을 품고 있던 고종과 명성 황후는 러시아 세력을 이용하려는 정책을 추진하였다.(K:221)
When the Russia’s superiority was proved in the Triple Intervention, King Kojong and Queen Min introduced the policy to make use of Russian power to exclude Japan’s influence.

The scenario that Russia governs Korea was nightmare for Japan.

朝鮮半島が，東方に領土を拡大しつつあるロシアの支配下に入れば，日本を攻撃する格好の基地となり，島国の日本は，自国の防衛が困難になると考えられた。(J:163)
It was thought that if Russia takes Korea, the peninsula would be the base to invade Japan. Then, the security of Japan would be seriously threatened.

To avoid this, a group of the Japanese assassinated Queen Min, who led the pro-Russia policy. This incident is not mentioned in the Japanese textbook.

그리하여 일본 공사는 일본군과 일본인 불량배들을 동원하여 궁궐에 침입하고 명성황후를 시해하는 만행을 저질렀다. (K:222)
The minister of Japan mobilized the Japanese rascals to assassinate Queen Min. They invaded the palace and slaughtered her.

Japan-Russia War

After Japan was forced to return Liaodong, Russia took it. Russian influence in Korea also kept growing. When diplomatic negotiations between Japan and Russia to determine each control sphere failed, Japan decided to fight. On 8 February 1904, Japan attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur and the Japan-Russia War (Russo-Japanese War) broke out. In 1905, Japan occupied Port Arthur, pushed out the Russian army from Mukden, and defeated the Baltic Fleet on the Sea of Japan. The Japanese textbook has a long column on the battle with the Baltic Fleet, which is as detailed as the description of the Battle on the Yellow Sea in Chinese textbook.

勝負は40分で決まった。旗艦スワロフは多数の命中弾を受け，大火災をおこした。……この海戦を日本の勝利に導いたのは，砲撃の命中率のよさと，技師の下瀬雅允が発明した高性能火薬にあるといわれる。……世界の海戦史上，これほど完全な勝利を収めた例はなかった。(J:171)
The battle lasted only for 40 minutes. The flagship Knyaz Suvorov was hit by many shells and burn... Japan won because of the high rate of hit and the quality of gun powder invented by Shimose Masachika... This was the most overwhelming victory in the history of naval battles.

Picture: Commander Togo Heihachiro on the battle ship Mikasa.

Under the mediation by the American President Theodore Roosevelt, Japan and Russia signed the Treaty of Portsmouth which assured Japan’s superiority in Korea. The Japanese textbook asserts that Japan's victory encouraged colonial people under the imperial rule.

近代国家として生まれてまもない有色人種の国日本が，当時，世界最大の陸軍大国だった白人帝国ロシアに勝ったことは，植民地にされていた民族に，独立への希望をあたえた。(J:170)
The fact that a country of colored race has beaten the white imperial power with the strongest army showed the possibility of independence for colonial people.

Not only people in imperial colonies but also Finn, Polish and Turkish people under the Russian pressure praised Japan's performance. For Koreans, however, Japan's victory was nothing encouraging.

대한 제국은 러-일 전쟁에서 승리한 일본에 외교권과 군사권을 차례로 강탈당하였다. 우리 민족은 이러한 일본의 침략에 대항하여 강력한 민족 운동을 전개하였다. (K:232)
The Greater Korean Empire was deprived of rights of diplomacy and military by Japan. We Koreans expanded strong ethnic movements against Japan’s invasion.

In 1909, a Korean activist An Jung-Geun killed a famous Japanese statesman Ito Hirobumi.

의병장으로 국내외에서 항일전을 전개하고 있던 안중근은, 우리 나라 침략에 앞장섰던 이토 히로부미가 러시아 대표와 회담하기 위하여 하얼빈에 도착했을 때, 그를 사살하여 민족의 독립 의지를 분명히 보여 주었다. (K:236)
An Jung-Geun, who once had led guerrilla to fight with Japan, shot Ito Hirobumi, the first Resident-General of Korea, when he arrived at the Harbin Station. This demonstrated the will of independence of Korean people.

Although the Japanese textbook has a long column on Ito Hirobumi, it does not refer to the assassination by An Jung-Geun. The Japanese editors seem to assume that terrorism is not worth telling regardless whether a Japanese was a terrorist or a victim. On the other hand, the Korean textbook includes even terrorism against an American.

미국에 살고 있던 전명운과 장인환은, 일본의 추천으로 우리 나라에 외교 고문으로 와 있던 미국인 스티분스가 미국으로 돌아가 일본의 한국 침략을 지지하는 발언을 하자, 그를 샌프란시스코에서 살하였다. (K:236)
Jeon Myeong-un and Jang In-hwan killed an American diplomat Durham Stevens in San Francisco because he was pro-Japan.

Such terrorism did not help Korea from its destiny.

마침내 일제는 군대와 경찰을 전국 각지에 배치하여 우리 민족의 저항을 미리 차단하고, 이완용으로 한 매국 내각과 이른바 합방 조약을 체결하였다(1910). 이로써 오랫동안 독자적인 문화를 창조하면서 발전해 온 우리 민족은 나라를 빼앗기고 일제의 노예 상태로 떨어지게 되었다. (K:255)
At last, Imperial Japan suppressed national resistance with military and police powers and concluded the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty with Lee Wan-Yong cabinet in 1910. Thus, we Korean that developed its own culture for a long time deprived with the nation and fell into slaves of Japan.

Colonial Rule of Japan

Until 1945, Taiwan was for 50 years and Korea was for 35 years ruled by Japan. In these countries, if not all but main part of modernization was achieved by Japan. The Japanese textbook writes that Koreans at that time did not appreciate Japan’s effort for modernization.

韓国併合のあと置かれた朝鮮総督府は植民地政策の一環として，鉄道・灌漑の施設を整えるなどの開発を行い，土地調査を開始した。しかし，これらの近代化調査事業によって，それまでの耕作地から追われた農民も少なくなく，また，その他にも朝鮮の伝統を無視したさまざまな同化政策を進めたので，朝鮮の人々は日本への反感をさらに強めた。(J:173)
Japan developed Korea by constructing railways and irrigation systems and conducting the land census. However, many peasants lost their lands in the course of modernization and Korean tradition was ignored under various cultural assimilation policies. Thus, Korean people enlarged anger and hatred against Japan.

According to the Korean textbook, the modernization by Japan was nothing but extraction and Koreans gained absolutely nothing.

식민 지배하에서 한민족은 일제의 경제적인 수탈에 큰 고통을 받았다. 이 가운데에서 가장 큰 피해는 토지를 약탈당한 것이었다. (K:258)
Under the Japanese colonial rule, we Koreans were economically extracted and severely pained. The worst damage was the deprivation of lands.

일제는 한국의 산업에 대한 침탈을 적극적으로 추진하면서, 한국을 대륙 침략의 발판으로 삼기 위해 철도와 도로, 항만과 통신 등의 시설을 갖추었다.(K:262)
The Japanese imperialism enlarged the extraction of Korean industry and built railways, roads, harbors and communication systems to invade China.

To the contrary, the Taiwanese textbook positively evaluates the economic development under the Japanese rule.

清末開港通商後，各國貨幣都可在臺灣流通，導致幣制混亂。日治以後，總督府成立臺灣銀行，統一發行貨幣。度量衡規制的統一，確保交易的公平，也有助於經濟發展。(T:79)
At the latest period of Qing’s rule, Taiwan’s economy was in chaotic state due to the circulation of various currencies. Japan established the Bank of Taiwan and integrated the currency. Japan also integrated weights and measures, assured the fairness of trades, and induced the economic development.

陸上運輸方面，基隆到高雄間的縱貫鐵路於1908年全線通車。糖廠出資鋪設的鐵道ヽ聯絡各城鎮的公路也陸續完成，使得臺灣島内的人員往來與物資運輸更加便利。對外港口方面，為了聯絡日本内地與東南亞地區，分別擴建基隆港與高雄港，臺灣因而成為往來東亞的重要中繼站。(T:79)
The railway between Keelung and Kaohsiung was completed in 1908. Many branch lines were also built one after another, making the transportation of people and goods more convenient. Harbors of Keeling and Kaohsiung were enlarged and Taiwan became an important hub in East Asia.

稲米方面，總督府修築水利灌漑設施，並於各地成立農會，推廣新品種和新技術。例如：八田與一主持完成的嘉南大圳，將嘉南平原改造為臺灣的穀倉。歴經多年培植成功的「蓬莱米」，也在總督府大力推廣下，産量倍増，大量運銷日本。(T:80)
In addition to repairing irrigation system, Japan established agricultural associations throughout the island to spread new variants of rice and technologies. Chianan Canal constructed under the leadership of Hatta Yoichi turned the Chianan plain into a very productive area. The Horai variant of rice, improved through a long time experiment, diffused under the initiative of the Governor’s Office and the production was doubled and exported to Japan.

In the Japanese textbook, there is a long column on Hatta Yoichi and the Chianan Canal. According to the column, the local people were pleased with the effect of Chianan Canal and proposed to build a stature of Hatta. He declined but the local people never gave up. Finally, Hatta agreed but requested; “I don’t like a stature standing like a big shot. I want to see the water even after my death. So, please make my stature sitting and looking at the water.” Thus, the stature was built according to his wish. The column continues as follows;

しかしそれからおよそ10年後，アメリカとの戦争の最中にフィリピンヘ赴く途中の八田は乗っていた船を沈められ亡くなってしまった。八田の像も戦争の資材として金属が回収されたときに取り除かれてしまった。ところが何と，戦後かなり長い年月が流れてから，戦争中に溶かされてしまったはずの八田の銅像がダムの近くの小屋から発見されたのだ。あの戦争中の困難のなかで，八田を慕う地元の人々は，銅像を差し出さず，ひそかに隠していたのだった。今日，八田の銅像はふたたびダムのほとりに戻り，満足そうな微笑みを浮かべながら満々とたたえられた水を眺めている。(J:231)
Ten years after the completion of stature, Hatta died on the way to the Philippines. His stature was removed when Japan needed metal to continue the war. Although the stature was believed to be melt during the war, it was actually hidden by the local people who appreciate Hatta and his work. Today, the stature was returned to the original place, looking at the water with a smile of satisfaction.

In the 1930’s, Japan introduced the ethnocide policy in Korea and Taiwan forcing Japanese names, language and religion. During the war, Japan mobilized labor and military forces in colonies. The Korean textbook more hysterically blames at Japan than the Taiwanese textbook.

일제는 한국인을 강제 징용으로 끌고 가 광산이나 공장에서 고통스러운 노동을 강요하였고, 지원병 제도와 학병제, 징병제를 실시하여 많은 청년들을 전쟁터로 내몰았다. 일제는 여성들도 근로 보국대, 여자 근로 정신대 등의 이름으로 끌고 가 노동력을 착취하였다. 더욱이 많은 수의 여성을 강제로 동원하여 일본군이 주둔하고 있는 아시아 각 지역으로 보내 군대 위안부로 만들어 비인간적인 생활을 하게 하였다. (K:262)
Japan drafted Koreans to force painful works in mines and factories and sent many young Korean men to the battle field. Japan also drafted Korean women to extract labor force. In addition, many Korean women were sent to military bases around Asian areas to spend humiliating lives as comfort women.

推動皇民化運動的同時，總督府多次徴調臺灣軍伕，部分女子被送上前線擔任慰安婦；之後陸續推動陸ヽ海軍特別志願兵制度，甚至正式實行徴兵制度。這種全民動員的情形，直到1945年日本無條件投降才結束。(T:73)
In addition to the ethnocide policy, Japan drafted Taiwanese men as military servants. Some women were sent to the front as comfort women. In the end, Taiwanese men were formally drafted as soldiers. Such mass mobilization lasted until 1945 when Japan surrendered.

As a whole, Korean students will think that the Japanese period was doom, depressed and humiliating. On the other hand, Taiwanese students may have bright image for Japan’s rule.

일본군 위안소: 일본군은 위안부들의 생활을 철저하게 제하였다. (K:262)
Comfort house of the Japanese army: Japan strictly controlled the life of comfort women.

臺北水源地風景明信片：日治初期，總督府在今臺北市公館地區建取水口ヽ設淨水場，供應住戸日常用水。(T:86)
Water source of Taipei: In the beginning of the Japanese period, Japan built a water pool and purification plant in Taipei to supply water to inhabitants.

Manchurian Incident

On 18 September 1931, the Kanto Army of Japan destroyed a railway and accused Chinese dissidents of the act. The Kanto Army occupied major cities of Manchuria one after another. While the Japanese textbook does not describe the progress of battles in detail, the Chinese textbook always includes heroic stories when it describes a war.

嫩江大橋之戦是九一八事変以来，中国東北守軍与日軍第一次激烈的戦斗。在馬占山将軍率領下，中国守軍“抱与城偕亡”的決心，与日偽軍血戦，多次撃退強敵，但付出重大犠牲。(C1:71)
The battle of Nenjiang Bridge was the first major encounter in the Manchurian Incident. The defending force bravely fought against Japan under the commandership of Ma Zhanshan. They often forced back the enemy but were severely damaged.

In March 1932, Japan declared the establishment of Manchu State and installed Puyi, the last emperor of Qing, as the emperor of Manchuria. Western powers blamed at Japan and sent the Lytton Commission for inspection. When the Lytton Report recommended Japan to retreat its troops, Japan withdrew from the League of Nations. The Chinese textbook does not explain such progress of international affairs but simply stimulates the anger of readers.

在日寇的鉄蹄下，東北三千万同胞過着恥辱的亡国奴生活。(C1:71)
Under the feet of Japanese invaders, 30 million Chinese people were forced to live as slaves.

According to the Japanese textbook, there was a remarkable economic development in Manchuria but it did not reduce the anti-Japan sentiment of the Chinese.

その後，日本と中国とのあいだで停戦協定が結ばれ，満州国は五族協和，王道楽土建設のスローガンのもと，日本の重工業の進出などにより経済成長をとげ，中国人などによる著しい人口の流人もあった。しかし実際には，満州国の実権は関東軍がにぎっており，一方で大小さまざまな抗日運動も絶えることがなかった。(J:197)
After an armistice agreement was made between Japan and China, the Manchu State developed economically thanks to heavy industry plants built by Japan. There was a mass in-migration of the Chinese population. However, the Kanto Army controlled the politics and the resistance movement did not decrease.

Japan-China War

On 7 July 1937, a battle broke out between the Japanese and Chinese armies at the Marco Polo Bridge nearby Beijing, starting the Japan-China War (Second Sino-Japanese War) that lasted for eight years. Both the Japanese and Chinese textbooks assert that the war started by the provocation of the opposite side.

1937（昭和12）年7月7日夜，北京郊外の盧溝橋で，演習していた日本軍に向けて何者かが発砲する事件が起きた。これをきっかけに，翌日は中国軍と戦闘状態になった（盧溝橋事件）。(J:199)
On the night of 7 July 1937, someone fired at a Japanese unit that was carrying out military training maneuvers at the Marco Polo Bridge. This caused the genuine battle against the Chinese army on the next day.

蓄意挑動戦争的日本軍隊悍然向盧溝橋中国守軍発起進攻，開炮轟宛平城。中国守軍忍無可忍，奮起抵抗，全国性的抗日戦争従此爆発。(C1:175)
The Japanese army attacked the Chinese defense force at the Marco Polo Bridge to start a war. They also cannonaded the Wanping Castle. The Chinese defense force could not persevere it and started countering back. Thus, an all-out war against Japan broke out.

The Japanese troops invaded from Shanghai to the inland area and occupied Nanking in December 1937. The Chinese textbook describes the Nanking Massacre in detail to burst the anti-Japan sentiment.

日本侵略者所到之處，焼殺淫掠，無悪不作。日軍占領南京後，対南京人民進行了血腥大屠殺，犯下了滔天罪行。南京的和平居民，有的被当作練習射撃的靶子，有的被当作練習刺殺的対象，有的被活埋。据戦後遠東国際軍事法廷統計，日軍占領南京後六周之内，屠殺手無寸鉄的中国居民和放下武器的士兵達三十万以上。(C1:76-77)
The Japanese invaders burned, killed, robbed and raped everywhere. After taking Nanking, the Japanese army committed a bloody mass murder of inhabitants. Some were used as the targets of shooting practice, some were stubbed with swords, and some were buried alive. According to the statistics at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, the Japanese killed 300 thousand innocent civilians and retired soldiers during six weeks.

While the death toll of 300 thousand is the official view of the Chinese government, the Japanese textbook writes in a footnote that there is controversy on the detail of incident.

このとき，日本軍によって，中国の軍民に多数の死傷者が出た（南京事件）。なお，この事件の犠牲者数などの実態については資料の上で疑問点が出され，今日でも研究が続いている。(J:199)
At this time, a large number of Chinese civilians and soldiers were killed by the Japanese army. There is controversy on details including the death toll in this incident and the investigation still continues today.

Pacific War

On 8 December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor and declared a war on the U.S. Although Japan pushed out the U.S. power to expand its territory at the early stage, the U.S. started countering back after the battle of Midway. The Japanese textbook describes as follows;

日米の生産力の差もしだいに表面化し，日本軍はとぼしい武器・弾薬で苦しい戦いを強いられたが，日本の将兵は，この戦いに国の将来がかかっている，と信じてよく戦った。(J:205)
The difference in the industrial production power gradually became apparent. The Japanese soldiers were forced difficult fights with short weapons and ammunition. However, they fought well because they believed that the war determines the county’s future.

In August 1945, the U.S. attacked Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atomic bombs, and the Soviet Union participated in the war against Japan. Japan’s defeat became inevitable. According to the Japanese textbook, the Showa Emperor decided the admission of defeat.

9日深夜，昭和天皇の臨席のもと御前会議が開かれた。ポツダム宣言の即時受諾について，意見は賛否同数となった。10日午前2時，鈴木首相が天皇の前に進み出て聖断をあおいだ。天皇は，ポツダム宣言の即時受諾による日本の降伏を決断した。(J:210)
On the midnight of 9 August 1945, an imperial conference was held. Opinions were half and half on the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. When Prime Minister Suzuki Kantaro asked for the decision, the Emperor decided that Japan surrenders by immediately accepting the Potsdam Declaration.

The Chinese textbook asserts that China’s counterattack was an important reason of Japan’s defeat and that China won “great victory.” The textbook also asserts that the Taiwanese people welcomed China’s victory and were pleased to back to China.

与此同時，中国的抗日戦争進入大反攻。在中国人民和世界反法西斯力量的厳重打撃下，8月15日，日本天皇被迫宣布無条件投降。八年抗日戦争，中国人民終于取得了偉大勝利，台湾也回到祖国的懐抱。(C1:83)
At the same time, China started extensive counterattack. Due to the fatal damage from China and other anti-fascist forces all over the world, the Emperor of Japan had to accept unconditional surrender. After the eight year anti-Japan war, the Chinese people won great victory and Taiwan returned to the arms of fatherland.

Japan’s defeat ended the colonial rule in Korea and Taiwan. The Korean textbook asserts that Korean resistance movements brought about the independence.

우리가 광복을 맞이할 수 있었던 것은 미국과 소련을 비롯한 연합국의 승리가 가져다 준 결과이기도 하지만, 그 동안 우리 민족이 온 갖 희생을 무릅쓰고 일제에 항거하여 꾸준히 전개해 왔던 독립 운동의 결실이기도 하였다. (K:297)
When Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945, we Koreans could escape from the cruel rule of the Japanese imperialism. Although this was a result of the victory of Allies including the U.S. and Soviet Union, it was also the outcome of our continuous resistance movements.

Taiwan was requisitioned to the Republic of China led by the Kuomintang. Because the Taiwanese textbook negatively evaluates the rule by the Kuomintang immediately after the war, it does not describe Japan’s defeat as a good event like Chinese and Korean textbooks.

1945年（民國三十四年）日本無條件投降後，國民政府成立臺灣省行政長官公署，負責接收與治臺事宜。行政長官陳儀集行政ヽ立法等大權於一身，儼如日治時期的臺灣總督；而政府重要職務大多由「外省人」擔任。因部分接收官員趁機貪汗，加上戰爭破壞ヽ日資撤出，政府微調臺灣的糧食ヽ物資運往大陸，導致「米荒」與物價飛漲現象趨於嚴重，引起民眾不滿。此外，臺灣民眾與外省人之間，也因語言ヽ文化與生活習慣等差異，時常發生誤解與爭端。(T:92)
After Japan surrendered, the Kuomintang established the Chief Executive Office to requisition and govern Taiwan. The Chief Executive Chen Yi owned all the powers of administration and legist ration just like the Governor-General during the Japan period. The “Mainlanders” monopolized most of the governmental posts and those officials pocketed requisition goods. In addition, the inflation caused by the retreat of Japanese capitals and exports of foods and goods to the mainland ordered by the government raised the antipathy of the Taiwanese people. Because of the difference in language and customs, troubles between the Taiwanese and Mainlanders took place every day.

Korean War

On 25 June 1950, the Korean War broke out between North and South Korea. The United Nations defined North Korea as the invader and sent the UN forces led by Douglas MacArthur. The Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese textbooks agree that North Korea started the war.

1950年6月，北朝鮮は，南北の武力統一をめざし，ソ連の支援のもと突如として韓国へ侵攻した。(J:217)
In June 1950, North Korea abruptly invaded South Korea to unify the peninsula with the military power under the support of the Soviet Union.

북한은 남침 준비를 서두르면서도 겉으로는 남한에 대해 평화 공세를 펴며 남침 의도를 숨기다가, 1950년 6월 25일 새벽에 38도선 전지역에 걸쳐 남침을 감행하였다. (K:304)
North Korea accelerated the preparation of war while insisted peaceful negotiation to hide its intention. On the early morning of 25 June 1950, however, North Korea suddenly invaded all along the 38th parallel.

1950年，北韓在蘇俄的支持下出兵南韓，戰爭持續至1953年7月才簽約停戰。(T:95)
In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea with the support from the Soviet Union. The war lasted until the armistice agreement was signed in July 1953.

In the Chinese textbook, however, the U.S. is defined as the obstructer of the annexation of Taiwan and the intruder threatening China.

美軍飛机入侵中国領空，轟炸掃射中国東北辺境城市；美国第七艦隊入侵中国台湾海峡，阻止人民解放軍解放台湾。美国的侵略活動厳重威脅中国的安全。(C2:7)
The U.S. airplanes violated China's territorial sky and bombs destroyed frontier cities in north-eastern China. The U.S. Seventh Fleet invaded the Taiwan Strait to obstruct the liberation of Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army. These hostile behaviors of the U.S. seriously threatened the security of China.

Naturally, the Taiwanese textbook appreciates the appearance of the Seventh Fleet.

民國三十九年韓戰爆發後，美國派遣第七艦隊協防臺灣，並進一歩對臺提供軍事ヽ經濟援助，以遏阻共産勢力擴張。(T:95)
When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the U.S. sent the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan togethrer. The U.S. also offered military and economic aids to prevent the communistic force to expand.

In China, no other opinion is allowed than that the U.S. invaded China and that China’s participation in the Korean War was justifiable.

動脳筋 Move Your Brain (C2:8)

中国人民志愿軍当時能不出兵嗎? 他們説的対嗎? 為什麼?
Could the People’s Liberation Army stay without participating in the war? Were their words correct? Why?

不能。朝鮮是中国的近隣，美国侵占朝鮮，中国的安全也受到威脅，美国第七艦隊入侵台湾海峡，阻止中国人民解放軍解放台湾。中国人民必須対美国的侵咯加以制止。
Girl: They could not but participate. While Korea is a neighbor, the U.S. invaded Korea and they even threatened China. The Seventh Fleet invaded the Taiwan Strait to obstruct the liberation by the People’s Liberation Army. The people of China had to resist the invasion of the U.S. and stop it.

朝鮮政府請求中国出兵援助,中国応当出兵幇助。援助朝鮮，也就保家衛国了。
Boy: North Korean government asked the help of China and in response China sent the army. To help North Korea was to protect our home and country.

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