Analysis of the Differences and Causes of Chinese and Japanese History Textbooks

Abstract

The publication of Japanese middle school history textbooks caused great controversy between China and Japan, as well as between Japan and East Asian countries. This paper compares the differences in title, cause, content, illustration, and other aspects of Chinese and Japanese history textbooks in describing specific historical events, and finds through the analysis of differences that China is more objective in recording historical facts, while Japan has behaviors such as downplaying, distorting and denying historical facts. On this basis, the study believes that the reason for the difference between Chinese and Japanese history books is that China and Japan have different identities, traditional cultures, and goal pursuits. At the same time, only by proposing measures to narrow the existing differences between China and Japan by urging Japan to face up to and acknowledge relevant history, establish a common historical research organization, and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries can the relations between China and Japan develop healthily and in the long term.