In the second episode of our June 30, 2024 seminar, we were honored to feature renowned political commentator Akio Yaita. Drawing from his personal experiences, Yaita contrasts the starkly different historical perspectives that Japan and China hold regarding “traitors.” Using the examples of Japan’s Saigo Takamori and the Byakkotai (White Tiger Force), he illustrates how a democratic society can offer tolerance and commemoration to tragic heroes who once opposed the government. In contrast, the Chinese authorities tend to demonize such historical figures, to the extent that even a statue of Wang Jingwei remains a strict political taboo. Watch now!
If you were to go to China looking for dinosaurs or aliens, I might go with you — we might even find them. But if you are looking for a statue of Wang Jingwei, I tell you, it absolutely does not exist.AKIO YAITA
This year, the Trust will continue to host a series of seminars. We invite readers to subscribe to our newsletters to stay informed about upcoming talks and join rigorous scholars in re-examining political figures in modern Chinese history.
