The Long Tail of World War II: Jus Post Bellum in Contemporary East Asia

JUST PEACE AFTER CONFLICT: JUS POST BELLUM AND THE JUSTICE OF PEACE (Carsten Stahn & Jens Iverson eds., Oxford University, 2020)

15 Pages Posted: 24 May 2021 Last revised: 15 Jul 2021

See all articles by Timothy Webster

Timothy Webster

Western New England University School of Law

Date Written: 2020

Abstract

The shadow of World War II still looms over East Asia. Unlike the West, issues of state accountability, corporate liability, and individual reparation roil the victims, governments, and civil society organizations. It stills form a critical, often controversial, backdrop for international relations among China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian nations. This chapter fills an important gap by focusing on jus post bellum outside of the West. The chapter examines the results, motivations, and achievements of civil litigation, namely approximately one hundred World War II reparations lawsuits filed in Japan. In so doing, it answers three related questions. Why does World War II still generate controversy in the contemporary geopolitical triangle of China, Japan, and Korea? How has litigation contributed to the reconciliation process? What are the broader prospects in the future?

Keywords: Japan, China, Korea, Human Rights, World War II, tort liability, corporate liability, government accountability

Suggested Citation

Webster, Timothy, The Long Tail of World War II: Jus Post Bellum in Contemporary East Asia (2020). JUST PEACE AFTER CONFLICT: JUS POST BELLUM AND THE JUSTICE OF PEACE (Carsten Stahn & Jens Iverson eds., Oxford University, 2020), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3848934

Timothy Webster (Contact Author)

Western New England University School of Law ( email )

1215 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
United States

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