Cartoon and Massacre: Japanese Empire in China, Korea, and Taiwan

Abstract

This paper examines the controversial legacy of the Japanese empire in East Asia using cartoons from Tokyo Puck and articles from The Japan Times and Mail to trace and analyze the development of Japanese imperialism in the early 20th century. It attempts to connect historical events like the Sino-Japanese War, the Nanjing Massacre, and the colonization of Taiwan with modern day issues like the Yasukuni Shrine and Asian comfort women. The paper argues that Japanese imperialism in East Asia is complex and cannot be viewed through black and white lens; while often characterized by brutality and exploitation, Japan also brought development, the prime example being the island of Taiwan. The paper then posits several reasons why modern day Japan has yet to come to terms with its imperial past and makes policy suggestions for the future.