This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (Tokyo Trial). From May 28 to 29, the International Symposium Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Commencement of the Tokyo Trial, jointly sponsored by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Memorial Hall, was held in Shanghai and Nanjing. Experts and scholars from China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Russia, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil gathered to reflect on the historical significance of the Tokyo Trial and defend its just achievements.

Xi Lifeng, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (top left in the photo below), stated in his opening remarks that the Tokyo Trial laid an important foundation for the post-war international order. Zhou Feng, Director of the Memorial Hall (bottom left in the photo below), discussed practical approaches to preserving historical memory through historical research and the collection of cultural relics and archival materials. Qi Dahai, Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (top right in the photo below), elaborated on the contemporary value of the Tokyo Trial from the perspective of international law. Hwang Woo-yea, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea (bottom right in the photo below), reflected on the shared wartime trauma experienced by East Asian nations.

Cheng Zhaoqi (left in the photo below), Director of the Center for the Tokyo Trial Studies of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, noted that the historical significance of the Tokyo Trial is undeniable and that the principles of international law established through the proceedings continue to play a lasting role in safeguarding world peace. Hiroshi Shiratori (center in the photo below), President of The Japanese Political and Legal Studies Association, stated that the post-war international order and the ideals of peace established through the Tokyo Trial are facing new challenges in today’s world. Viviane Dittrich (right in the photo below), Deputy Director of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, stated via video message that the Nuremberg Trials and the Tokyo Trial together laid an important foundation for modern international criminal law.

On May 29, Chinese and international scholars visited the Memorial Hall and toured the”Nanjing Massacre Exhibit” as well as the “Indisputable Justice — An Exhibition of Archived Documents on the Tokyo Trials”.

Ishida Ryuji, Associate Researcher at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, argued that the exemption of the Emperor of Japan and certain Class-A war criminals from responsibility deprived Japanese society of an opportunity to fully reflect upon its wartime accountability. Xiang Haoyu, Distinguished Research Fellow at the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of the China Institute of International Studies, noted that revisiting the conclusions of the Tokyo Trial helps counter right-wing forces and historical revisionism in Japan.

Takakage Fujita, Secretary-General of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement of Japan, was moved to tears during his visit to the Memorial Hall. He said, “It is entirely wrong to deliberately avoid this history. Japan must acknowledge the massacres and other atrocities committed in China, engage in profound reflection, offer sincere apologies, and make genuine amends. This is the only correct path forward.”

Chinese and international scholars also observed a moment of silence and laid flowers before the Site of “Mass Grave of 10,000 Corpses” in memory of the deceased in the Nanjing Massacre, emphasizing the importance of remembering history and preventing such tragedies from ever happening again.

Messages Left by Participating Scholars:

The massacres committed by the Japanese military are absolutely inexcusable. As a Japanese citizen, I offer my heartfelt apology.

We will continue our efforts to ensure that Japan never again wages a war of aggression.

Long live peace and friendship between the peoples of China and Japan!

Takakage Fujita, Secretary-General of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement of Japan

May 29, 2026

To not be forgotten, to be actually remembered, to pray for all the victims. May God have mercy.

Cássius Chai, Professor at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and Public Prosecutor of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Maranhão, Brazil

May the souls be comforted, and may lasting peace prevail throughout Asia and the world.

Hwang Woo-yea

Former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea

May 29, 2026

The voices of the victims in Nanjing do not belong solely to the past. I hope to listen to them together with the people of Japan as voices that still speak to us today.

Ishida Ryuji

Associate Researcher at Shanghai Jiao Tong University

May 29, 2026

It is with deep sorrow that I sign this book. It is also with great hope that never again other books like this will exist to remember terrible atrocities like this.

Ignacio de la Rasilla, Spanish Professor, School of Law, Wuhan University

This is a beautiful way of remembering a terrible thing.

Neil Boister, Professor of Law, University of Canterbury

Never forget the suffering. Cherish peace. Justice never dies; though delayed, it will surely prevail

Lim Kah Koe, Director of the Malaysian Chinese Museum

Never forget the past, for it can serve as a guide to the future.

Masataka Mori, Professor at Shizuoka University, Japan

May 29, 2026