The Possibilities and Challenges of History Education for Historical Reconciliation: Teaching World War II in East Asia

• In Event: Leadership and Curriculum in an International Context

Abstract

This study aims at exploring how WWII in Asia is taught in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan and discussing the challenges of reforming history education for historical reconciliation in the area. Using a case study design, this research documents individual national narratives and their practices in history classrooms, considering their effect on the current tension between the countries and how socio-political context based on the national narrative impedes to reform of history education for historical reconciliation. Findings illuminate national narrative has been an agenda to share not only the collective memory but a framework for understanding the past and introducing alternative perspectives in the history classroom is challenging because of the controversy concerning national identity

Authors

• Jongsung Kim, Hiroshima University

• Yu-Han Hung, University of Houston - Downtown

• Hiromi Kawaguchi, Hiroshima University