Contested Views of a Common Past Revisions of History in Contemporary East Asia

In contemporary East Asia, rapid social and political changes have led to multiple shifts in historical perspective. Recent history, marked by the experience of colonialism and wars, has become an object of intense debate both within and among Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan. Contested Views of a Common Past brings together renowned scholars to analyze historical revisionism in politics, historiography, education, and the media. Drawing on a number of theoretical, cross-national, and comparative perspectives, these essays demonstrate how and why historical events have been reevaluated in specific social, political, and cultural contexts. History is thus revealed not only as a source and expression of various nationalisms, but also as a starting point for trans-national understanding and reconciliation.

 

 

Steffi Richter is professor of Japanese studies at Leipzig University.