Before World War II, Japanese soldiers were often seen as good soldiers.
During the Boxer Rebellion, they behaved better than many Western soldiers. In the Sino-Russian War of 1904-1905, they treated prisoners and Russian citizens kindly.
In the Battle of Manila, knowing they were going to die, Japanese soldiers followed the Bushido code, trying to take as many enemies with them. While this isn’t an excuse, it helps explain their actions.
However, Nanking was different. The Japanese were winning the war, and in just one generation, their army changed from honorable to cruel. Many of the changes in Japan’s military thinking were similar to what happened in Germany. The Japanese believed they were the superior race and that they were meant to rule the East, viewing the Chinese as less than human.
In the army, there was a culture of violence where soldiers, especially new recruits, were beaten and tortured by their own comrades. This brutal treatment led soldiers to think it was normal to harm and kill the enemy.
This destructive mindset took over the Japanese military, affecting their ability to think clearly and contributing to their defeat.
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