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This research aims to explore Indonesian youth perceptions of Japan's role during the Pacific Wartime and how these perceptions shape their national identity.

April 25, 2026Japan focus0 citationsOpen Access

“Japan as Savior, Japan as Invader”: Indonesian Youth Perceptions of Japan in the Pacific Wartime

RRRomadi RomadiState University of Semarang GKGanda Febri KurniawanState University of Semarang APArif PurnomoState University of Semarang

Key Points

This research aims to explore Indonesian youth perceptions of Japan's role during the Pacific Wartime and how these perceptions shape their national identity.
Qualitative approach to examine student understandings of Japan's arrival in Indonesia during the Pacific Wartime.
Analysis of official school narratives alongside family stories of suffering related to forced labor (romusha).
Students perceive Japan as both a savior and an invader, reflecting conflicting narratives present in their education and family histories.
The glorification of Japan in school narratives clashes with personal accounts of suffering, emphasizing the complexity of national identity.
Findings suggest a need for curriculum reform to provide a more accurate and inclusive historical perspective.

Abstract

Abstract Students’ understanding of Japan’s arrival in Indonesia during the Pacific Wartime (1942–45) sparks a sharp conflict in narratives: was Japan a savior or an invader? This study reveals how official school narratives in Indonesia glorify Japan’s role, clashing with family stories of suffering caused by forced labor ( romusha ). Using a qualitative approach, the research highlights the ambiguous role of Japan as both victim and perpetrator, shaping students’ complex and diverse national identities. These findings urge curriculum reform for a more inclusive and honest engagement with this controversial historical legacy.

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