PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
April 25, 2026Japan focus0 citationsOpen Access

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

RRRomadi RomadiGKGanda Febri KurniawanAPArif Purnomo

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.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Romadi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ec5ac988ba6daa22dac478https://doi.org/10.1017/apj.2026.10045
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper