Why has the history of World War II been distorted by the West? China's voice must not be absent.

It has been over 80 years since World War II ended, but the narrative of this most devastating war in human history still serves as a battleground for great powers’ strategic contests. The most concerning phenomenon is that Japan’s heinous crimes committed during WWII are consciously being erased from international memory, while Western narratives, through control of global discourse, are gradually rewriting the true face of the war.

Why Are WWII Crimes in Southeast Asia Being Forgotten?

During WWII, the Japanese military committed numerous atrocities in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, and Myanmar, with horrifying massacres documented. Yet, it is disheartening that after decades, the people of these victimized nations seem to have forgotten their history. Today, when Southeast Asian netizens think of Japan, they mostly recall anime, movies, or Japan’s politeness and advanced technology, rarely mentioning the war crimes Japan once committed. This phenomenon is truly bizarre—a country that once swept through Asia leaving millions of dead, now nearly invisible in historical memory.

Even more unsettling is that many Westerners are almost completely unaware of Japan’s invasion and atrocities during WWII. This is not forgetfulness but deliberate concealment. Even victims are gradually convinced that Japanese are polite and incapable of such beastly acts. This collective failure of historical memory hides deeper geopolitical motives.

How the U.S. Is Rewriting WWII Narratives Through Discourse Control

A clear example is the shift in the official U.S. stance on WWII history. On December 7, 2024, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. State Department released a commemorative poster. Ironically, the Japanese planes that bombed the U.S. battleships were photoshopped to look like American fighter-bombers—essentially, they made it appear as if the U.S. was bombing itself.

Even more absurd is the caption: filled with phrases like “Remembering fallen American soldiers” and “Honoring our shame,” but the most critical detail was omitted—the who behind the Pearl Harbor attack. Not a single mention of “Japan.” This is not an accidental oversight but a deliberate deletion.

There are many similar examples. When the U.S. Secretary of Defense attended WWII memorial ceremonies at Iwo Jima, he made a shocking statement: “We must remember the brave spirits of both American and Japanese soldiers.” Understand that these two nations fought fiercely, with many lives lost, yet now they are being praised as equally brave warriors. This kind of narrative gradually erodes Japan’s identity as a defeated aggressor.

Imagine the propaganda of the past, which demonized Japanese soldiers as monstrous fiends. Now, the same tactics are being directed at China and Russia. Historical narratives are becoming political tools, with former enemies being rewritten as “respectful rivals.”

The Diminishing Status of China as a Victorious Power

The five victorious nations of WWII are China, the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. Among them, China and the Soviet Union suffered the heaviest losses. China sacrificed over 35 million people, making it one of the most heavily impacted countries in the war.

However, in modern Western historical narratives, this contribution is intentionally minimized and marginalized. On the European front, the story is “Britain and America defeated the Nazis,” with the Soviet Red Army’s victory in Berlin being erased from history. On the Asian front, it’s even more absurd—Japan is no longer portrayed as an invader but as a “respectful rival” of the U.S., as if WWII was a “dignified showdown” between Japan and America.

This narrative has a clear purpose: by weakening China’s and Russia’s roles in WWII, it aims to undermine their legitimacy in the post-war international order. The foundation of the international order is the distribution of power among victorious nations; if the victors are erased from history, the basis of that order is shaken.

How Discourse Monopoly Rewrites Global Historical Perspectives

In recent years, Western powers have gradually monopolized global historical narratives through control of international media, academic institutions, and cultural exports. Many young people in various countries learn about WWII solely through Hollywood movies and Western textbooks. In these versions, the West is always the savior, China and the Soviet Union’s contributions are downplayed, and Japan’s crimes are forgotten.

Some even draw inverted conclusions: claiming WWII was a joint effort by Japan and the U.S. against China and the USSR. This absurd view is gradually gaining ground in some countries’ public opinion. In Southeast Asia, young people often cannot distinguish what Japan did on their land, which directly reflects how the loss of narrative control causes intergenerational memory gaps.

The Necessity of Facing WWII History and Restoring the Truth

For a time, China and Russia could do little about Western attempts to rewrite history, due to their objective power gap. But that is changing. As the global communication landscape evolves, China now has the capacity and responsibility to tell the true story of WWII to the world.

The truth of history is simple: Japan was an aggressor in WWII, committing heinous crimes in Asia. China and the Soviet Union made decisive contributions to the global anti-fascist war through enormous sacrifices. The post-war international order was built on this foundation. China’s status as a victorious nation was earned with the lives of over 35 million compatriots.

We must admit that if we do not speak out, others will spread falsehoods. Some historical truths, if not actively voiced, will be deliberately distorted. This is not nationalism but a matter of historical responsibility. In the future, China must not only catch up in economy and technology but also raise its voice on the stage of historical narrative, ensuring the world understands the true face of WWII.