Official and Grassroot Responses to the Japanese Textbook Controversy: A Comparative Study on China and Korea

Abstract

Japan’s ongoing revision of its wartime history, particularly through its school textbooks, continues to be a major source of diplomatic friction in East Asia, intertwining issues of national identity and collective memory. The intensification of these disputes in 2002 and 2005 marked significant turning points in Sino-Japanese and Korea-Japanese relations. This paper delves into the official and grassroots responses from both China and South Korea, shedding light on the different characteristics exhibited by each country’s approach to manage disputes, as well as the relationship between government-led diplomatic maneuvers and popular nationalist movements. Through a constructivist lens, the analysis reveals how these countries not only react to historical controversies but also play an active role in shaping regional narratives and international perceptions. This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of the nuanced dynamics between official state responses and grassroots movements in China and South Korea as strategic efforts to shape national identity, public sentiment, and international legitimacy.