Memory and Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific

记忆 ⚆ 和解 ⚆ 아태

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Military & Security

Home News & Opinions Military & Security

U.S. Department of Defense Censoring World War 2 Pictures

  • July 25, 2025
  • News & Opinions

Department of Defense deleted over 26,000 images including Enola Gay, Tuskegee Airmen, and Navajo Code Talkers. Although Department of Defense restored the deleted contents and stated that it was unintentional, some doubt that it was part of anti-DEI protocol that…

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Efforts to Continue Search for Battle of Okinawa Remains

  • July 23, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

With limited government support, Okinawa is having a hard time recovering and identifying remains that died during the Battle of Okinawa. Locals also fear new U.S. base construction with rising regional uncertainties in disturbing unmarked graves and threatening to erase…

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2024 Recap 5: South Korea Martial Law Declaration

  • July 17, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

With martial law declaration, Japanese officials are reconsidering diplomatic plans with South Korea. It suspended diplomatic engagements with uncertainty rose even in broader U.S.-Japan-South Korea security partnership as the opposition is trying for an impeachment. The Asahi Shimbum Article: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15537648…

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2023 Recap 5: Senkaku/Diaoyu Dao Standoff

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

China is using gray-zone tactics to take control of Senkaku/Diaoyu Dao, sending Coast Guard vessels and staying for 80 hours with more presence planned. Japan argues China’s actions undermine both environmental stewardship and Japan’s commitment in defending its territory. Asian…

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2023 Recap 2: Camp David U.S.-Japan-S. Korea Trilateral Summit

  • July 16, 2025
  • Asia-Pacific

U.S., Japan, and South Korea had a trilateral summit meeting in Camp David on August 18th, 2023. The meeting was primarily aimed to enhance trilateral military, economic, and regional coordination between three countries to reshape Northeast Asian security cooperation with…

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Feb. 5, 2021 — Korean White Paper Highlights Cool Relations With Japan (Various)

  • February 5, 2021
  • Asia-Pacific

Chosun Ilbo: Korea Labels Japan ‘Neighbor’ Not ‘Partner’ Global Times: South Korea’s defense white paper strikes a pragmatic tone South China Morning Post: South Korea affirms cool Japan relations, warm China ties in defence white paper Korean Herald: Seoul says…

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Nov. 13, 2020 — US to Defend Japanese Claims to Senkaku Islands (Various)

  • November 13, 2020
  • Asia-Pacific

Dong-a Ilbo: “U.S. President-elect Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had the first phone conversation at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. In this 15-minute conversation, they pushed back against China citing the U.S.-Japan security treaty and relations between South…

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Nov. 11, 2020 — Moon Seeks to Mend Seoul-Tokyo Ties (Various)

  • November 11, 2020
  • Asia-Pacific

Kyodo News: “South Korean President Moon Jae In wants to mend relations with Japan that have been frayed by a dispute over wartime labor, Seoul’s spy chief told Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday.” Chosun Ilbo: “National Intelligence Service…

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Oct. 4, 2020 — “[Heroes from afar] French, Korean Soldiers Forged Close Bonds During War” (Korea Joong Ang Daily)

  • October 4, 2020
  • Asia-Pacific

Korea Joong Ang Daily: They ate with the French. Fought with the French. Rested in the same barracks as the French. They just didn’t speak French. “We did everything together, eat, train, fight in battles, wield the same weapons, wear the…

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April 14, 2015 – “How Strong Is the U.S.-Japan Relationship?” (Foreign Policy)

  • April 15, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“The friendship between Washington and Tokyo has come a long way in 70 years, but a rising China could throw a wrench in the works.”

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April 15, 2015 – “South Korea, Japan hold first ‘two plus two’ talks in five years” (Japan Times)

  • April 15, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“South Korea and Japan held their first high-level security talks in more than five years on Tuesday, despite simmering tensions over territorial and historical disputes. Resuming the “two plus two” talks, which include the two nations’ foreign and defense officials,…

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April 14, 2015 – “US-Japan defence guidelines to specify islands’ defence: Paper” (Channel News Asia)

  • April 15, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Japan and the United States will likely include an explicit reference to defence of far-flung Japanese islands in an update of security cooperation guidelines amid concerns about China’s increasing military assertiveness, a Japanese newspaper reported.”

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April 13, 2015 – “S. Korea, Japan Discuss N. Korea Nuclear Threat Amid Tensions” (Voice of America)

  • April 15, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Despite strained relations over territorial disagreements and historical disputes, South Korea and Japan will resume security talks this week. These talks are not so much a sign the two neighbors are resolving longstanding differences but instead a recognition that they…

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April 8, 2015 – “Defense Secretary Hails US-Japan Alliance” (Voice of America)

  • April 15, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Beginning his first Asia tour, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter laid out the U.S. commitment to Japanese security Wednesday in Tokyo, urging restraint in territorial disputes between Japan and China… “We don’t, as we frequently say, take a stand…

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April 10, 2015 – “South Korea, Japan to hold high-level security talks in 5 years” (Economic Times)

  • April 11, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“South Korea and Japan will next week hold their first high-level security talks in more than five years, Seoul said today, despite simmering tensions over territorial and other historical disputes.”

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April 9, 2015 – “World War II foes US, Japan express support for PHL” (GMA News)

  • April 11, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“The United States and Japan, bitter enemies in World War II more than 70 years ago, both expressed support on Thursday for the Philippines and regional security in the Pacific as recently published images showed Chinese reclamation activities in the…

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April 8, 2015 – “Diplomatic Bluebook highlights Japan’s international role since the war” (Asahi)

  • April 11, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“An official policy document issued annually by the Foreign Ministry expresses “deep reflection” over Japan’s behavior in World War II while highlighting its international contributions ever since. China and South Korea were quick to criticize references to their two nations in…

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April 7, 2015 – “China is right to be alarmed by Japan’s new ‘helicopter destroyer'” (The Week)

  • April 11, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Two weeks ago, Japan commissioned its largest naval vessel since the end of World War II. Sleek and with the clean lines of a ship designed for stealth, JS Izumo pulled into Yokosuka Naval Base, her new home port, and…

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April 3, 2015 – Opinion: “The China Challenge” (Boston Globe)

  • April 10, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

By Joseph S. Nye Jr., professor at Harvard University: “SINCE WORLD War II, the United States has been the most powerful state in world politics. Many analysts view a rising China as the most likely contender to end the American…

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April 2, 2015 – “Taiwan is Building Attack Submarines” (Medium, War is Boring)

  • April 10, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Locked in an an undersea arms race with China, Taiwan has decided to build its first domestically-produced attack submarines. For two reasons. The first is that Taiwan’s ancient submarines, half of which are 70 years old, are a better fit for…

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March 31, 2015 – “Japan eyes defence ties with India to counter China” (Economic Times)

  • April 3, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Amid increasing Chinese assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan today sought enhanced cooperation with India in defence and security sector including in the field of maritime security.”

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March 27, 2015 – “China’s Kinder, Gentler Military Parade” (The Diplomat)

  • April 3, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Rather than displaying China’s latest military technologies, as the National Day parades do, this parade will have a different focus: promoting an image of China’s military forces as peacekeepers. “The world will see the PLA as important force of promoting…

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March 27, 2015 – “Government looks to end taboo on military research” (University World News)

  • April 3, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Japan’s military is prying open long-closed doors at university research labs, boosting Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s US-backed effort to cast off some of the country’s pacifist constraints, write Eric Pfanner and Chieko Tsuneoka for The Wall Street Journal.”

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March 27, 2015 – “Japan’s Shinzo Abe describes alliance with U.S. ‘unshakable'” (UPI)

  • April 3, 2015
  • Asia-Pacific

“Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he holds the “fullest confidence” in President Obama and the U.S.-Japan alliance remains “unshakable,” providing a prelude to his state visit to Washington in April.”

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