Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
The Great Japanese Empire: Core Events’ Degree of
Understanding by Nikkei People in the Americas
Eduardo Tanji Ishibashi Portillo*
How much do Nikkei people in the Americas know about the Japanese
involvement in pre-war events and the bombings of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki? Through a quantitative analysis of the responses of nearly 100
Nikkei people of the Americas to a survey conducted online and targeted to
all Nikkei people, this paper aims to: 1) contribute to the existing literature
on Nikkei society by filling the gap existing on the topic, 2) introduce the
contemporary view on the Great Japanese Empire core events from Nikkei
people of the twenty-first century and 3) to response the question initially set.
The narrations and actual facts from both sides—American and Japanese—
that were taken from a broad array of publications set forth the leading
questions which addressed key factors for the comprehension of the
imperialistic ambition of Japan, causing the dropping of atomic bombs.
Through the analysis of events considered as paramount in order to
understand Japan in the 21st century, such as: the Nanking Massacre, the
attack on Pearl Harbor, Potsdam Declaration, a controversial (but logical)
objective paradigm is introduced through this paper on the dehumanization
suffered by Japanese from Americans. The findings of this study provide
valuable input on a theme that has not been widely touched in the literature
on Nikkei. Results show that a big percentage of the participants are lacking
proper knowledge on the events abovementioned.
Field of Research: World History, Nikkei society, Second World War.
LCC Classification: D731-838, HM756-781, HM826
1. Introduction
Definition: Nikkei People
At the initial stage of the research, slight nuances, subtle connotations and difference of
stances on “Nikkei people” were found among existing resources. Nonetheless, the
definition used throughout the whole execution of the research was based on the one
proposed by Kikumura-Yano (2002, p. 3) in “Encyclopedia of Japanese Descendants in
the Americas”. This volume is one of the many outcomes the International Nikkei
Research Project (a three-year collaborative project that involved more than 100
scholars from 10 countries and 14 participating institutions) brought about (KikumuraYano, 2002; Discover Nikkei, 2016). Unbiased and objective enough, the definition can
be considered one of the most reliable ones at the time the search for definition took
place. It says: “The term (Nikkei) refers to all Japanese emigrants and their descendants
who, while acknowledging their Japanese ancestry, have created unique communities
within various national contexts throughout the Americas. The term also includes
persons of mixed racial descent who identify themselves as Nikkei, as well as those who
have returned to Japan but retain identities separate from the native Japanese.” This
definition certainly matches the population and purposes this paper wanted to aim for at
its initial stage, thus, it was taken as the primary and only definition.
*Mr. Eduardo Tanji Ishibashi Portillo, School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University, Tokyo-Japan.
1-6-1 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8050, Japan. E-mail: eduardoishibashi@toki.waseda.jp
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
The Research
Bill Hosokawa (1969), as a second generation American Japanese, narrates his
personal experience during the dark days following the attack on Pearl Harbor through
the chapters The Unhappy Days and The rising cry of the book he authors: “Nisei. The
Quiet Americans” It can be clearly seen that as an American Nikkei, the impact of the
aftermaths of the strike driven by Japan undoubtedly affected him and the entire
American Japanese community. In addition to this, these effects also evinced in the Latin
American Nikkei Community, as Okihiro (2002) depicts. Police interventions, destruction
of property, of rights, and of social standing were amongst the countless oppressions
Japanese abroad were facing at that time (Okihiro, 2002, p. 14). There exist recounts on
the way previous Nikkei generations perceived the effects of the World War II on their
daily lives. Hence, the degree of understanding of the events that emerged upon World
War II can be graspable. However, little or nothing can be found on the current
perspective and on the extent of understanding by Nikkei people in regards of the core
events that evolved around the Great Japanese Empire such as the Nanking Massacre,
the attack on Pearl Harbor and Potsdam Declaration. 70 years have already passed
since World War II came to an end. Along with the pass of these years, Nikkei
communities throughout the Americas have continuingly grown and evolved in
economical, social and demographical terms. Today, the number of Nikkei people draws
near 3,500,000 (The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, 2013.). This growing
process has resulted in a big impact on the welcoming countries and communities by
contributing to an enhanced understanding of Japan and fostering local integration.
Although the contemporary Nikkei generation still keeps the values, traditions and
cultures from Japan, the deeply rooted local integration leads and shifts the members of
this generation to become locals. Attending a normal school privately or publicly
administered by local government/entities, dealing with the local community in everyday
businesses, having to speak the local language whether it be Guarani, Spanish,
Portuguese or English can be mentioned to be one of the events that are shifting the
members to become from Nikkei to locals. Additionally, the fact of abiding by a
Secondary Education Curriculum that puts a deep emphasis on the development of
“competence training” (Braslavsky, 2000, p. 14) rather than on pedagogical side can be
argued to be an influential factor on the degree and content of knowledge and
comprehension the contemporary Nikkei generation possesses. Either the
abovementioned or the fact that other priorities have arisen over time has played an
important role in Nikkei people’s cultural and historical background understanding. This
is where the concern emerged. Having a reasonable degree of understanding of a state’s
historical background is an order of the day in the world-widely-integrated-society the
world has become. Furthermore, it is a fundamental need in order to nurture and foster
good relationships among states, especially for individuals rooted to two or more
countries. Although current available literature have captured the perspectives on the
actual adversities American Japanese would have to face upon attack on Pearl Harbor
onwards, it obviates the extent of knowledge Japanese descendants nowadays do
posses in regards of the actual reasons for the dropping of the atomic bombs and the
core events of the Great Japanese Empire.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
2. Literature Review
“Academic freedom is guaranteed.”
-Article 23. The Constitution of Japan.
The Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bombings were atrocious barbarities committed by
humankind that shall never be repeated.
Nonetheless, there were reasons and events behind this mistake that carried the United
States to proceed forward. Asia witnessed a fairly unstable atmosphere in the 20th
century due to a myriad of belligerent conflicts in which states were involved in—
especially because of Japan’s actions.
The Great Japanese Empire, in the search for power in order to survive in a world that
was rapidly growing and threatening its existence at the same time, invaded states and
behaved in an outrageously way. Although a formal declaration of war did not happen
until after the Japanese soldiers’ explosions in July of 1937 at the Marco Polo Bridge
(Sino-Japanese)—this way, commencing the Second Sino-Japanese War—it can be
argued that the starting point of these instabilities dates as early as 1931 with the
Invasion of Manchuria by Japan (MacLeod, 2000) and consequent establishment of the
puppet state of Manchukuo which followed the Mukden Incident boycotted by the
Empire, again.
“You have never killed anyone yet, so today we shall have some killing practice. You
must not consider the Chinese as a human being, but only as something of rather less
value than a dog or a cat (…)” (Chang, 1998, p.56) asserted Lieutenant Ono to his
comrades at the Nanking Invasion.
Stern and harsh assertions like Lieutenant Ono’s are a clear reflection of the savage,
cruel and non-compassionate spirit that the majority of members from the Japanese
Imperial Army did bear back in its imperialistic days.
Likewise, Dower (1993, pp. 257-285) describes the way American and Japanese
depicted each other while war was happening with a profound remark on a
dehumanization made to Japan: being depicted as cockroaches; and Americans: being
depicted as demons.
Circumstances worsened when Japan (amid war with China)—and aiming for natural
resources such as oil—could not wait but attack on US main fleet in Pearl Harbor in order
to protect its advance into the Malay Peninsula and the Dutch East Indies (Dockrill, 1994)
causing 3000 casualties for Americans (United States declares, 1941). Given the fact
that a state of war did not exist at the moment of the attack (Totani, 2009), it can be
argued that the United States would certainly react somehow. Hence, the day following
the attack, on December 7th 1941, United States declares war to Japan, giving the Pacific
War a start (United States declares, 1941).
Still concerned about how much damage Japan would cause, the Allied Forces
summoned and ascertained that Japan shall be given an opportunity to end the War.
The Potsdam Declaration provided the terms for Japan to surrender. Withal, the crucial
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
point was that Japan was already acquainted with the alternative of not surrendering
which was “prompt and utter destruction”. Perchance the fact that nuclear weapons
would be used may have not been in Japan’s awareness. Yet, Suzuki by then Prime
Minister of Japan asserted in a public announcement that “The Potsdam Declaration was
nothing but a rehash of earlier statements and that the Government would ignore it”
(Gailey, 1995, p. 487). Despite the nuances on the meaning of mokusatsu in PM Suzuki’s
announcement, the choice for Japan was simple and straightforward: whether they
wanted prompt and utter destruction for the country and its people or not. The aftermath
was undoubtedly the dropping of the atomic bombs developed under Manhattan Project
in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
On the other hand, although some contradictions emerged in between his words and
writings, President Truman used the argument of saving ‘half a million American lives’ in
order to deploy the a-bomb (Walker, 1996, p. 16).
All these facts and events can certainly be considered to provide whoever with a—if not
thorough—basic degree of understanding on main events that evolved around the late
years of the Great Japanese Empire.
3. The Methodology
A quantitative design was used in order to analyze the responses of nearly 100 Nikkei
people aged between 10 to 61+ years old from over 10 different countries to a survey
conducted online targeted to all Nikkei people in order to come up with findings. The
period of data collection was from early November 2015 to mid-January 2016. The
participants of the research can be seen to represent a broad cross-cultural sample
categorized as follows:





Total number of responses: 94 responses.
Male sample percentage: 48.9% (46 responses).
Female sample percentage: 51.1% (48 responses).
Number of participants’ countries of residence: 11 countries.
Number and percentage of participants by country of residence at the moment
of the survey (Highest to lowest percentage order. Alphabetical order in case of
merging percentages. Some figures have been rounded up for the reaching of
the full percentage):











Paraguay: 45 individuals (47.87%)
Japan: 12 individuals (12.76%)
Argentina: 8 individuals (8.51%)
Mexico: 6 individuals (6.4%)
United States: 4 individuals (4.25%)
Brazil: 6 individuals (6.38%)
Peru: 6 individuals (6.4%)
Colombia: 4 individuals (4.25%)
Bolivia: 1 individual (1.06%)
Canada: 1 individual (1.06%)
Uruguay: 1 individual (1.06%)
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
Through the responses given, it was expected to come up with a result showing the
degree of understanding of Nikkei people of the Great Japanese Empire core events—
the Nanking Massacre, the attack on Pearl Harbor and Potsdam Declaration specifically.
In order to provide the participants with a closer familiarity with the topic, questions were
also translated into Spanish. In addition to this, the new paradigm is introduced
supported by John Dower’s accounts and taking into account the results from the survey.
The survey protocol utilized in the research (see Apendix A) was designed to specifically
analyze knowledge regarding key facts and paramount events that are deemed to be
crucial for a critical understanding of the core events of the Great Japanese Empire. The
survey also provided a space for participants to leave their comments on the topic. The
verbatim was also transcribed and opinions were analyzed.
4. The Findings
4.1.
The attack on Pearl Harbor
Table 1: Grouping of participants’ level of understanding on the attack on Pearl Harbor
in 1941. In a linear scale 1 standing for: I know nothing and 5 for: I’m familiar with what
happened.
As a result of the study, it can be seen that nearly 30% of the sample do not posses a
minimum knowledge on what happened in Pearl Harbor in 1941. Yet, only 8.5% asserted
they are familiar with the attack. Nonetheless, a big percentage of the participants still
seems to be little acquainted with the event.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
4.2.
The Nanking Massacre
Table 2: Participants’ level of understanding on the mass murder and mass rape in
Nanking.
As Chang (1998) narrates the way the Japanese Imperial Army took over Nanking, the
summary of the tragedies this takeover carried along was divided into two: mass rape
and mass murder. 58 participants (61.7%) demonstrated unfamiliarity at all with these
events. On the other hand, 20 (21.3%) showed to be acquainted with it, as well as 16
(17%) who have heard about it at some point in their lives.
4.3.
The Potsdam Declaration
Table 3: Participants’ level of understanding on the Potsdam Declaration.
65 participants, who represent approximately 70% of the sample, do not posses
knowledge on the Potsdam Declaration. On the other hand, 16 participants (17%) have
claimed to know about it. Inasmuch as 13 people (13.8%) have only heard about it
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
Table 4: Participants’ level of understanding on the Potsdam Declaration as a way for
the a-bombs not to be dropped.
As the figure above shows, nearly 80 percent (72 participants) suggest that they were
not familiar with the fact that if terms stated within the Potsdam Declaration were
accepted by Japan, destruction would have not taken place. Nonetheless, 23.4 percent
(22 participants) claimed to have known this fact.
4.4.
General Questions
Table 5: Stance of participants regarding Japanese dehumanization described in Dower
(1993).
42 participants (44.7%) have asserted that the Japanese dehumanization made by
Americans is a clear reflection of the way Japan was behaving back in times. On the
other hand, 30 participants (31.9%) do not believe this was an exact depiction of the way
Japan behaved. 7 participants (7.4%) did reply stating that Japan was an innocent
country and never involved in savagery in the last century. And last, 15 participants
(16%) left their comments in the blank space provided. Comments from participants were
divided into three main categories: participants unfamiliar with the topic, participants
likely agreeing with the question set, and participants reluctant to admit Japan’s savagery
(though it’s a certain and objective fact). The verbatim of some of the most relevant
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
follows. First category: “I don't know how Japan was in those days”; “I don't know what
to answer. The only thing I know is whatsoever barbarity shall never be repeated again”;
“I acknowledge I only know a little of history and culture”. Second category: “They’re
neither innocent nor savages”; “Unit 731 shall be mentioned as well”; “The army was like
that but people were not”; “It is obvious that Japan was involved in savagery in the last
century”. Third category: “The US involvement in Middle East conflicts should also be
analyzed”; “I think the characterization mentioned in the question is not related to the
atrocities the Great Japanese Empire did”; ”It was part of their war tactics. In order to
justify belligerent acts, the enemy had to be denigrated”.
Table 6: Grouping of participants’ perception of difficulty level of the survey. In a linear
scale 1 standing for: Very difficult and 5 for: Very easy.
As the graph above shows, more than half of the participants have rated the survey with
3 or less than 3. On the other hand, 37.2 percent of the participants have found it easy
or very easy to tackle.
Table 7: Participants’ understanding on the reasons behind US’s decision for dropping
the bomb. Responses given on a multiple-choice system.
President Truman’s argument justifying the dropping of the a-bombs in order to save half
a million American lives (Walker, 1996, p. 16) has been used as one of the alternatives
for the answer. As the Cold War conflicts started to emerge, 42.6% of the responses
pointed out the fact of showing off power to the Soviet Union as one of the reasons.
37.2% of the answers were that one of the reasons was to test the use of a-bombs.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
29.8% of the choices fell into the category: “to stop Japan’s harshness”. The 12.8% of
the answers decided to leave their personal opinions on the topic, followed by an 11.7%
that claimed that none of the mentioned in the survey constituted a reason. Last, only a
7.4% of the answers pointed at Truman’s argument of saving American lives. Since for
the “Others” field it was optional to leave a comment or not, the only comment given
deemed to be relevant for the research was the following: “To seek for revenge for Pearl
Harbor”.
4.5.
Verbatim of Comments
Comments considered to be relevant to the research and/or topic are enlisted in its
verbatim below.
“We have to seek for means and ways to further promote an understanding of Japan’s
history. This way, creating interest (on Japan’s history) to Nikkei people. Like this survey
which will at least make someone to research on the issues touched”
“More neutral options could be better”
“One of the questions was not clearly stated and has a strong introduction that can bias
the answer. If you want to know what people really think about Japan’s role in the WW2,
maybe a direct question would work better”
“Both sides in this war have atrocities and war criminals. As a Nikkei, I condemn the
atrocities Japan did in this time and also, I do condemn the detonation of the a-bombs”
“Every person, from different ideological or political point of view, can depict these events
in very contrasting ways”
“Didn’t know about these events in the Japan’s past. Except for Pearl Harbor and atomic
bombs”
“It was a fight of the powerful ones. How would have it been if Japan won it”
“Means and ways in order to keep at transmitting Japan’s history have to be seen. This
way, interest among Nikkei will be generated”
“That is so great questions, and I would like learn more about that theme”
4.6.
General Analysis
The overall analysis of the results given by the sample depicts that, although there exist
a certain degree of familiarity and knowledge from a small percentage of the sample
regarding the Nanking Massacre, the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Potsdam
Declaration, yet, a big percentage still remains unacquainted with these events. Amongst
some of the comments provided by the participants, the concern on the fact that Japan’s
history should not be forgotten was found.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
5. Summary and Conclusions
As individuals rooted to their home countries and Japan, Nikkei people have both
cultures blended inside them. According to the results this research paper demonstrated,
it could be argued that the majority of the surveyed was acquainted little or nothing at all
with the Japanese involvement in pre-war events and the bombings of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. For multi-cultural persons excelling in the international arena as Nikkei people
are, it is important to be familiar and acknowledge the actual events that marked Japan
and the world’s history.
Although most of Nikkei people, due to a lack of proper knowledge on the facts and
events, do make judgments putting a strong emphasis on the way Japan was affected
by the dropping of the a-bombs—and indeed, the damage the American attack caused
in Japan is noteworthy—one has to bear in mind that Japan also behaved in a barbaric
and atrocious time last century. Whether it be a new concept or not, the dehumanization
made to Japan described in Dower (1993) supported by the data shown on Table 5 with
nearly half of the participants agreeing with the statement proposed, are certainly reliable
facts that introduce the paradigm that the Great Japanese Empire behaved in an
inhumane way last century and the tragedies emerged were the consequences of its
own actions. If no attack and savagery were done, no bombs would have been dropped.
Today, peace is something people are taking for granted, especially the contemporary
generations. However, peace is a status humanity achieved after a long run shadowed
by blood and with millions of lives passing away.
In sum, it is advisable for Nikkei associations throughout the Americas and to the
Educational System Regulator organisms to strengthen the educational curriculum by
emphasizing the facts and events that evolved around Second World War. Although the
past may be over, the contemporary generation is responsible for the future; hence,
history shall be borne in mind.
References
Braslavsky, C., 2000. ‘III. The new direction for secondary education: developing
competencies and identities’, in: The Secondary Education Curriculum in Latin
America: New Tendencies and Changes, Geneva: International Bureau of
Education, p. 14.
Chang, I., 1998. The rape of Nanking: The forgotten holocaust of World War II, 2nd
edn.,
New York: Penguin USA.
Discover Nikkei, 2016. What is Nikkei?. Available from:
<http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/about/what-is-nikkei>. [Accessed 24 January
2016]
Dockrill, S., 1994. ‘Introduction: One Step Forward—A Reappraisal of the ‘Pacific War’’,
in: From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, London: The Macmillan Press Ltd, pp. 4-5.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
Dower, J., 1993. ‘Race, Language and War in Two Cultures’, in: Japan in War and
Peace: Selected Essays, New York: The New Press, pp. 257-285.
Gailey, H. A., 1995. ‘Unconditional Surrender’, in: ‘The War in the Pacific. From Pearl
Harbor to Tokyo Bay, Novato: Presidio Press, p. 487.
Hosokawa, B., 1969. Nissei The Quiet Americans, New York: William Morrow and
Company Inc.
Kikumura-Yano, A., 2002. ‘Introduction’ in: Encyclopedia of Japanese Descendants in
the Americas, Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, p. 3.
MacLeod, R., 2000. ‘Introduction’, in: Science and the Pacific War, Dordrecht: Kluwer
Academic Publishers BV, p. 1.
Okihiro, G.Y., 2002. ‘Turning Japanese Americans’, in: Encyclopedia of Japanese
Descendants in the Americas, Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, pp. 9-28.
Sino-Japanese War. Available from: <http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-ofww2/sino-japanese-war>. [Accessed 24 January 2016]
The Association of Nikkei & Japanese Abroad, 2013. Who are “Nikkei & Japanese
Abroad”?. Available from: <http://www.jadesas.or.jp/en/aboutnikkei/>. [Accessed 24
January 2016]
Totani, Y., 2009. The Tokyo War Crimes Trial: The Pursuit of Justice in the Wake of
World War II, Harvard University Asia Center, p. 57.
United States declares war, 1941. Available from:
<https://www.newspapers.com/clip/173105/us_declares_war_after_pearl_harbor/>.
[Accessed 24 January 2016]
Walker, J.S., 1996. ‘The Decision to Use the Bomb: A Historiographical Update’, in:
Hiroshima in History and Memory, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1137.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
Appendix A: Survey Protocol
The thorough survey had its explanations and questions in English and Spanish. English
version follows.
Establishment of Terms and Conditions:
First of all, thanks for your time in order to fill up this survey. It will take you approximately 8
minutes. Before proceeding, please thoroughly read the following general information.
The current survey takes place under a research project conducted by Eduardo Tanji
Ishibashi Portillo tutored by Prof. PhD Chisato Hotta within the First Year Seminar IIB 86 at
the School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan).
Due to research privacy protection, the topic, objectives and research details will be released
upon publication of the final paper in February 2016. If you're interested on knowing about
them, please do send your request to: eduardoishibashi@toki.waseda.jp.
The personal information and answers provided will only be used for this research with the
sole purpose of analyzing data statistically and will not be provided to third parties. The
handling procedures abide by Waseda University's Policy on Security of Personal
Information which are publicly available at: https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/privacy-policy, as
well as by "Law Regarding the Protection of Private Information (Private Information
Protection Law)" enforced since April 1st, 2005 in Japan.
The researcher is solely responsible of whatsoever expressed under the thorough stage of
the current research, but shall not be binding nor construed as constituting any obligation
on the part of Waseda University and/or the tutor.
Any queries regarding the handling of personal information will be received via:
eduardoishibashi@toki.waseda.jp.
If you agree on the terms established hereby, please proceed with the survey.
Identification of sample:
This research aims to target: "nikkei people".
The definition of "nikkei people" for this research is based on the definition made by:
Kikumura-Yano, A., 2002. ‘Introduction’ in: Encyclopedia of Japanese Descendants in the
Americas, Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press, p. 3.
which states: "The term (Nikkei) refers to all Japanese emigrants and their descendants
who, while acknowledging their Japanese ancestry, have created unique communities within
various national contexts throughout the Americas. The term also includes persons of mixed
racial descent who identify themselves as Nikkei, as well as those who have returned to
Japan but retain identities separate from the native Japanese.”
If you feel yourself identified with the definition above, please proceed with this survey. If
not, please abandon.
Identification of Sample Questions:
1. Select your gender.
2. Select your age range.
3. Select your country of residence.
Proceedings of 10th Asia - Pacific Business and Humanities Conference
22 - 23 February 2016, Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
ISBN: 978-1-925488-00-5
At the Pinnacle Questions:
No.
Question
1
From 1 to 5, how would you rate the degree of
your understanding regarding the attacks on
Pearl Harbor in 1941?
Do you know about the mass murder and mass
rape made by the Great Japanese Empire troops
against the residents of Nanjing that took place in
the Nanjing Massacre in 1937?
Do you think that the Great Japanese Empire
would have surrendered to the Allied Forces if
the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
were not to be dropped?
John Dower in "Race, Language and War in Two
Cultures" describes the way Japanese people
were dehumanized by Americans. Some
examples to be mentioned are when Americans
treated Japanese as easy-to-kill cockroaches.
Since long time ago, Japan has been roughly
and savagely depicted by the United States. The
hatred and attention put from Americans towards
Japan was even bigger than the one towards
Nazis. Most of people might argue about "Nihon
Kawaiisou (Poor Japan)". However, we shall bear
in mind all the belligerency and harshness Japan
was involved in its Imperialistic days (Imperial
expansions, invasions, sexual exploitations to
women, among others). Do you think this was a
real reflection of the way Japan was behaving
back in times? Or do you think Japan was an
innocent country and therefore not involved in
savageness in the last century?
Do you know about Potsdam Declaration?
2
3
4
5
Response choices
Linear scale.
1 standing for: I know nothing and
5 for: I’m familiar with what happened.

Yes

No

I’ve heard about it



I think this was a clear reflection of the way
Japan was behaving back in times

I do not think this was a real reflection of
the way Japan was behaving back in times

I think Japan was an innocent country and
therefore not involved in savageness in the
last century

6
7
8
9
10
Did you know that if Japan would have accepted
the terms stated on the Potsdam Declaration
(surrender) the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki might have not been dropped?
In your opinion, what were the reasons behind
US's decision on dropping the atomic bombs in
Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
Did you know that the Great Japanese Empire
was involved in inhumane events such as mass
murdering, rape to women and territorial invasion
in the last century in Asia? Did you know about
this side of the past of Japan?
From 1 to 5, please rate how difficult it was for
you to go through this survey
If in the previous question you chose whichever
number from 1 to 3, please choose or state the
reasons why you found it difficult going through
this survey.
Yes
No

Yes

No
I’ve heard about it

Yes

No
Multiple choice available.
To show off power to the Soviet Union
amid the start of conflicts within the Cold
War

To stop Japan's harshness

To save millions of Americans lives from
Japanese troops' attacks

To test the use of atomic bombs

None of the above-mentioned

Other

Yes

No

Japan was never intentionally involved in
such events, it all was for the sake of selfdefense
Linear scale.
1 standing for: Very difficult and 5 for: very easy.


Multiple choice available.
This issue is very complex and complicated

I'm not that familiar with what really
happened

Other