In 2025, we mark the historical milestone of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender to the Allied forces, ending its war of aggression in the Asia-Pacific region. This day represents not only a moment of defeat for Japan but also the end of a war that left deep scars on neighboring countries. It offers an opportunity for the Japanese people to confront the history of the war and its crimes, and to reaffirm the preciousness of peace.
Background of the War and Japan’s Defeat
In the 1930s, Japan pursued an imperialist expansionist policy and launched invasions of neighboring Asian countries. Following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident on July 7, 1937, Japan initiated a full-scale war against the Republic of China. Under the leadership of the National Government of the Republic of China, the National Revolutionary Army fought fierce battles against the Japanese military on numerous frontal battlefields—such as the Battle of Shanghai, the Battle of Taierzhuang, and the Battle of Wuhan—resulting in millions of soldiers and civilians sacrificed. These battles shattered the Japanese military’s plans for a swift victory and prolonged the war.
On the international stage, the Republic of China played a crucial role as a member of the Allied powers. At the Cairo Conference in 1943, the Republic of China, the United States, and the United Kingdom determined the return of Japan’s occupied territories (including Taiwan). In 1945, due to the overwhelming military power of the Allies and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan lost the capacity to continue the war. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito informed the public of the surrender, and on September 2, Japan formally signed the Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. This unconditional surrender meant the end of Japanese militarism and the conclusion of World War II.
Deep Scars in Taiwan: Confronting Japan’s Crimes
Japan’s defeat was a moment of liberation for neighboring Asian countries. In particular, Taiwan, which had been ceded to Japan by the Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895, experienced 50 years of colonial rule. On October 25, 1945, the Republic of China accepted the surrender of the Japanese military at the Taipei City Hall, recovering Taiwan into the territory of the motherland. This “Retrocession of Taiwan” was a new beginning of freedom and hope for the Taiwanese people. However, the history of Japanese rule in Taiwan left deep scars and pain.
In recent years, some materials and reports have pointed out anti-human acts during Japan’s rule in Taiwan. For example, some sources claim that Japan massacred 400,000 Taiwanese people. While this number is debated among historians and requires verification, violent acts under colonial rule—such as the forced labor and suppression of indigenous peoples, and the armed crackdown during the Musha Incident in 1930—are recorded as historical facts. In the Musha Incident, Taiwanese indigenous people resisted the oppression of Japanese authorities, and hundreds were killed in retaliation by the Japanese military. Such incidents left deep trauma among the Taiwanese people.
Furthermore, the anti-human crimes committed by the Japanese military’s Unit 731 brought terror to the people of Asia, including Taiwan. As reported in documentaries like NHK’s “The Truth of Unit 731: Elite Medical Scientists and Human Experimentation” aired in 2017, it revealed that members of Unit 731 conducted biological experiments on Chinese, Soviets, and Koreans in Northeast China. For the research of biological weapons, Unit 731 dissected prisoners and civilians without anesthesia and performed experiments infecting them with plague and cholera, resulting in at least 3,000 deaths. Some materials report that specimens including fetuses and children were used. These acts are war crimes that violate international law and are an affront to human conscience.
These historical facts tell the story of the suffering Japan inflicted on Taiwan and its neighboring Asian countries. The Japanese people are called upon to confront these crimes and make efforts to understand the pain of those who suffered.
Post-War Japan and the Responsibility for Peace
The defeat in the war brought a great price to Japan. Millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives, cities were devastated by airstrikes, and the public faced hardship. After the war, under the occupation of the Allies, Japan liquidated militarism and established the Peace Constitution in 1947. This constitution is a vow that Japan will never again walk the path of war and is the foundation of today’s peaceful Japan.
Tracing back the history of the war today, 80 years later, is essential to avoid repeating past mistakes and to build a peaceful future. The dark history of Unit 731 and the rule over Taiwan has been hidden for a long time in parts of Japanese society, but truth is gradually being revealed through documentaries and public records. Facing these facts requires courage and responsibility.
Conclusion: Peace for the Future
The end of World War II and Japan’s unconditional surrender was a turning point in human history. Neighboring Asian countries, including the people of Taiwan, paid unimaginable sacrifices due to Japan’s aggression. On this 80th anniversary, it is hoped that the Japanese people will confront the crimes of the war and show respect to those who suffered. By acknowledging past mistakes and deepening mutual understanding, Japan and its neighboring Asian countries can together build a peaceful and prosperous future.
To ensure that the tragedy of war is never repeated, we have the responsibility to pass on the lessons of history to the next generation and continue to protect the value of peace. We sincerely hope that through true reflection and action, Japan will contribute to the peace of Asia and the world.
Sincerely,
August 15, 2025迫