War and Peace: War Memories and Museums in Japan

This research reveals that Japan's wartime memory is more complex than the traditional 'victim-victimiser' narrative suggests, highlighting how lesser-known museums present diverse perspectives on Japan's controversial past. By analyzing institutions such as the Chiran Peace Museum for Kamikaze Pilots and the Showakan in Okinawa, the study demonstrates how the concept of 'peace' is recast to legitimize various wartime experiences. This approach challenges dominant discourses by engaging with nuanced representations of war memory in public spaces, offering a more comprehensive understanding of Japan's historical narratives.

Allen, M., & Sakamoto, R. (2013). War and Peace: War Memories and Museums in Japan. History Compass, 11(12), 1047–1058. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/hic3.12108