Nanjing Photo Studio Sparks Outrage Among Japanese Netizens as Historical Denialism Fuels Tensions
The release of the film "Nanjing Photo Studio" has sparked a heated controversy, particularly among Japanese netizens, due to its portrayal of the Nanjing Massacre, a highly sensitive and disputed topic between China and Japan. The movie's narrative, which focuses on Japanese attempts to cover up the massacre through photography, has triggered strong reactions from Japanese internet users, with many denying the historical atrocities depicted in the film.
6 August 2025
This denialism has been met with widespread criticism in China, where the film has resonated deeply with the public, drawing strong patriotic sentiments. The phrase "南京照相馆上映日本网民跳脚," which translates to "Nanjing Photo Studio's release makes Japanese netizens jump mad," has become a trending topic on social media, highlighting the intense emotions and reactions surrounding the film's release.
The controversy surrounding "Nanjing Photo Studio" has significant social implications, as it exposes the ongoing emotional and historical sensitivities surrounding the Nanjing Massacre. The strong reactions from Japanese netizens dismissing the historical event reveal a deep-seated denialism that could further fuel nationalist sentiments in both countries, making reconciliation and accurate historical understanding more challenging.
Within China, the film serves to reinforce national memory and historical trauma, with many viewers expressing strong emotional responses to the film's portrayal of the massacre. The suppression of opposing viewpoints on platforms like Weibo, as seen with the banning of accounts, also points to the sensitivity of this topic within China and efforts to control dominant narratives.
The political implications of this controversy are also significant, as Japan's lack of official acknowledgment and apology for the Nanjing Massacre remains a major point of friction in Sino-Japanese relations. The film's narrative can be seen as a direct challenge to Japan's official historical narrative, and the Japanese reaction could be used to underscore the importance of historical remembrance and to politically pressure Japan for a more forthcoming stance on its wartime past.
For the film and media industry, "Nanjing Photo Studio" demonstrates the commercial and social impact of historical films, particularly those addressing sensitive national memories. The film's ability to trigger such a strong response, both domestically and internationally, suggests that such productions can be powerful tools for shaping public opinion and national identity. However, it also highlights the risks involved, as seen with the intense scrutiny and potential for online attacks, indicating that creative works dealing with sensitive historical events can easily become targets of censorship or public backlash.
The success of the film, despite the controversy, might encourage more productions focused on similar historical themes, potentially leading to a new wave of patriotic or historical dramas. Conversely, the intense scrutiny and potential for online attacks might also deter some creators from tackling such contentious subjects, leading to self-censorship within the industry.
Overall, the controversy surrounding "Nanjing Photo Studio" highlights the complex and sensitive nature of historical memory and interpretation, particularly in the context of Sino-Japanese relations. The film's impact on the industry and its role in revealing historical disagreements underscores the need for nuanced and thoughtful approaches to depicting sensitive historical events on screen.
