I have been interested in the subject of historical memory for about 40 years and taught courses either including this subject or directly about it. Nowhere have I seen a better presentation about historical memory than this. It deserves the widest circulation. Indeed, its emphasis on the dynamic nature, its organization and accompanying explanations are exemplary; indeed, they are a template as a methodological approach to the subject. The only gap I noticed is tthe role played by professional scholarship in the formation of Japanese historical memory. On second thought, this is a subject unto itself that is properly presented as a parallel phenomenon offered to an audience of professional historians.
This video has been posted for several years; I am very surprised it has not elicited more comments. Ms. Siniawer does an excellent job setting the historical context for events discussed, but chooses the most benign, inoffensive words possible. I understand that lectures are informative and not editorials - emotions and opinions are to be kept in check. However, glossing over the horrific crimes that were committed, to me, feels very, very disrespectful to those that suffered and/or lost their lives. At 34:09 she actually says that "comfort women" were "RECRUITED for the service of Japanese soldiers". Someone who is recruited for a role is informed of specifics, and offered opportunity to serve. Sex slaves in military rape brothels had no free will. Shame on Ms. Siniawer for not allowing these abused women, and their families, the simple dignity of truthful words!
The sex slaves were a military unit. People are recruited into military units - sometimes at the point of a gun. This has historically been the case with "cannon fodder" - low-skilled undesirables who were given the choice between dying right now, or dying on the battlefield. There have been rumors of this happening in contemporary Russia, though these seems to me to be an exaggeration - the last instances I have any confidence in were in WWII. Regardless, in your rush to performative condemnation, you exposed your ignorance. (edited typo.)
@@Erlo3b She's describing the evolution of Japanese memories of the war, not the war itself. It is her job to study the phenomenon, not look for opportunities for performative condemnation. As I wrote in my reply to the O/P, "recruit" is in fact the technically correct word, and can also be found in other writings about this phenomenon - she is using the language that other researchers use. To do otherwise without good reason is to taint scholarship with politics - something it sounds like your ok with.
After 58mins. Japan has not yet come to terms with the past.The professor is indicative of the total mental erasure of their misdeeds.A ghastly conclusion on her part to one of the most inglorious periods of history.
Of all the stupid comments on this video, yours is the stupidist. What conclusion did she draw about WWII? She talked entirely about the evolution, fracture and development of Japanese memory of the war. You're so looking for someone to beat up on that you imagine affront where there is none.
Having finished watching this presentation, I can say it would have been much more interesting if she had framed it some other way than "My politics are good, and my opponents are evil." It was so partisan, it ceased being history and became polemic.
So she describes a phenomenon and you somehow think that the phenomenon must be somehow reflective of her personal views? Polemic? You're sick in the head.
