Interview with Mr. L

"In Japan, the Nanjing Massacre is typically referred to as the “Nanjing Incident,” with history textbooks using deliberately vague or softened language. Because China has not been able to provide what Japan considers conclusive evidence, Japan does not officially acknowledge the figure of 300,000 victims, but concedes to a lower estimate of around 170,000–180,000.

In general, textbooks gloss over Japan’s aggression in East Asia, choosing instead to focus on the Pacific War. Battles such as those in Okinawa and Iwo Jima are emphasized, highlighting the heavy sacrifices of Japanese soldiers rather than the suffering Japan inflicted on others.

Many Japanese today believe that the wrongs committed by their parents or ancestors should not be borne by the current generation. As a result, there is a widespread reluctance to issue further apologies for the wartime past."