Wartime History Issues in Asia: Pathways to Reconciliation

“Wartime History Issues in Asia: Pathways to Reconciliation,” a Track II dialogue held at Stanford University on May 11-13, 2014, convened academic experts from Asia, the United States and Europe to discuss the issues of wartime history that continue to impact the region.

Scholars from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and the United States, along with Stanford University scholars, participated in the two-day conference. Most of the participants have significant experience in efforts to foster reconciliation on wartime history issues.

The dialogue was co-sponsored by the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center at Stanford University and the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), an international organization in Seoul established by the governments of China, Japan and the ROK in 2011 to promote peace and prosperity among the three countries.

Operating as a closed-door workshop under the Chatham House Rule of confidentiality, the conference allowed participants to engage in candid, in-depth discussion. TCS representatives attended the dialogue as observers and participated in their personal capacities. 

The final report compiles details from the discussions, including individual participants' policy recommendations. Topics addressed include regional history issues, formation of historical memory, and approaches to education and ways of dealing with wartime memory.