Japan doesn't universally "deny" the Nanjing Massacre, but significant denialism exists, stemming from nationalist views questioning the scale (number of victims), blaming Chinese troops/guerrillas, citing biased Tokyo Trials, and a national identity struggle over shame vs. pride, leading to political disputes, differing history textbook accounts, and controversy over shrine visits by leaders. Some Japanese figures claim it was Chinese propaganda or exaggerated by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), while others admit crimes but downplay the extent, creating a complex, unresolved historical debate.
The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious distress and damage that Japan caused to the Chinese people through its aggression against China during a certain period in the past and expressed deep remorse for this.
In essence, Japanese propaganda justified the invasion of China by presenting it as a mission of liberation, civilisation, and economic security. It exploited historical, racial, and nationalistic sentiments to gain public support for the war.
One of the biggest mistakes the Japanese made was not destroying the smallest American ships in Pearl: our submarines. They survived and put to sea to destroy more Japanese tonnage during the war than the Americans lost at Pearl Harbor. And the biggest mistake of all? Underestimating the American public.
Yet the process of surrender was not a simple one. To most Japanese political and military leaders, unconditional surrender was unacceptable, even when it became obvious Japan could never hope to win the war. Those on the side of peace advocated for a negotiated settlement, which the Allied Powers would never accept.
The Japanese, naturally, were disappointed to hear of Hitler's death. They were more concerned, however, over how Germany would react. After the collapse of the fascist regime in Italy, Italian fascists formed a rump state and continued to fight on, and the Japanese hoped that Germany would do the same.
Hirohito visited Hiroshima in 1947 and continued to publicly mourn the deaths that took place during the atomic attacks throughout his life. He also expressed some contrition for his role in the war. In 1971, Emperor Hirohito expressed that there were parts of the war that he felt “personally sorry for.”
WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention (STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea) and for practical combat uses, such as keeping sand and mud out of their rifle barrels, protecting small items, or even as makeshift waterproof bags, although the weapon-protection use is sometimes exaggerated in popular culture. The military distributed them widely (often in "prophylactic kits") to maintain troop strength, recognizing the significant manpower lost to venereal diseases in past conflicts.
The feelings of deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the actions during the war have been upheld consistently by the post-war Cabinets.
Tora! as "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Yamamoto in 1940. Yamamoto is said to have written the quote in real life, but there is no evidence of this.
Analysis and hindsight from historians over the years that have followed have led to a view that Japan regretted its decision to attack Pearl Harbor. In 2014, a biography on Emperor Hirohito revealed that the Japanese leader was wary of attacking the USA and that doing so could have consequences for his nation.
Notwithstanding the superior Sino-German economic relationship, Hitler concluded that Japan would be a more reliable geostrategic partner and chose to end his alliance with the Chinese as the price of gaining an alignment with the more modern and militarily powerful Japan.
Okinawa was so bloody due to Japan's fanatical, entrenched defense using extensive tunnel systems, forcing brutal close-quarters cave fighting and massive casualties, combined with unprecedented kamikaze attacks that devastated U.S. naval forces, all driven by the Japanese strategy to inflict maximum losses before an inevitable defeat, with huge civilian involvement and deaths, ultimately proving the horrific cost of invading mainland Japan.
The United States. Since World War II, Japan's most important tie has been with the United States. Japan's mutual defense treaty with the United States is central to its security. The United States is committed to defend Japan and maintains military bases in Japan partially for that purpose.
Over 80% of Japan's landmass is covered by mountains and hills, making it a very rugged, island nation where most people live in narrow coastal plains and valleys, with forests covering a large percentage of these mountainous areas as well.
Hitler reacted to Pearl Harbor with surprise, excitement, and relief, believing Japan's attack would distract the U.S., prevent American intervention in Europe, and ultimately aid the Axis war effort, leading him to unnecessarily declare war on the U.S. himself four days later, a move considered a major strategic blunder that brought America fully into the European war. He was ecstatic that Japan's actions would divert American resources away from the European theater, especially while Germany was struggling in the Soviet Union.
The main defensive argument was the alleged crimes had yet to be established as international law and Japan's actions were in self-defense.
President Franklin D. Roosevelts address to Congress after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor would reportedly write in his diary, “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
'Bad' girls have always known how to look after themselves. Barrier methods were always very popular. A halved, emptied lemon skin placed over the cervix worked well, for example, as did sponges soaked in natural spermicides such as vinegar.
By the end of the war, approximately 7,000 of the 10,500 SIS staff were female. These women on the home front contributed to the Allied victory by successfully breaking codes and deciphering enemy messages. The women cryptologists were held to strict secrecy and would become one of the best-kept secrets of WWII.
The Bible literally has zero to say on condoms.
Despite the efforts of the nationalist textbook reformers, by the late 1990s the most common Japanese schoolbooks contained references to, for instance, the Nanjing Massacre, Unit 731, and the comfort women of World War II, all historical issues which have faced challenges from ultranationalists in the past.
We fully understand the anguish of my people. However, in accordance with the dictates of fate, We must bear the unbearable and endure the unendurable in order to pave the way for peace for all future generations.
The most serious long-term strategic failure was Japan's complete inability to understand its own industrial weakness and the overwhelming industrial power of its enemies. Japan had no guarantee or assurance that Germany would declare war on the United States.