China Releases Complete Chinese Translation of Tokyo Trials Records, Filling Major Archival Gap
In a significant move to preserve historical memory and expand academic access, China has launched the first complete Chinese translation of the Trial Records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. The release, which debuted on April 30, 2026, at Zhejiang Yuexiu University in Shaoxing, coincides with the 80th anniversary of the start of the Tokyo Trials on May 3.
For decades, a domestic archival gap existed in China regarding the full, translated records of these landmark proceedings. This new publication provides a comprehensive resource for historians, legal scholars, and the general public to examine the legal foundations and testimonies that shaped the post-war order in Asia.
The Scale of a Decade-Long Project
The magnitude of this translation effort reflects the complexity of the original tribunal records. The completed work is a massive undertaking, spanning 40 volumes and totaling more than 20,000 pages. In total, the translation encompasses over 22 million Chinese characters.
Bringing this project to fruition required more than a decade of rigorous translation and review. The effort was a collaborative venture between several key institutions:
- The Research Institute of War Crimes Trial and World Peace at Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Zhejiang Yuexiu University
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University Press, which served as the publisher
Preserving the Legacy of International Justice
The Tokyo Trials were pivotal in establishing the principle that individuals—including high-ranking government and military officials—could be held legally accountable for crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. By making these records accessible in Chinese, the publication allows for a deeper understanding of the specific role China played during the proceedings.
Xiang Longwan, a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the son of Xiang Zhejun—who served as a Chinese prosecutor during the Tokyo Trials—emphasized the importance of the release. He noted that the publication will help the Chinese public better understand the full course of the proceedings and the significant contributions made by China to the tribunal’s outcomes.
Key Takeaways: The Tokyo Trials Translation
- Launch Date: April 30, 2026.
- Volume: 40 volumes, 20,000+ pages, and 22 million+ characters.
- Primary Goal: To fill a domestic archival gap and improve public understanding of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.
- Collaboration: A joint effort by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Zhejiang Yuexiu University.
- Timing: Released just ahead of the 80th anniversary of the trials’ commencement.
Looking Forward
The availability of these records in Chinese is expected to spark new academic inquiries into the legal precedents set during the Tokyo Trials. As the world continues to navigate complex geopolitical tensions in East Asia, having a transparent, accessible record of these war crimes trials serves as a critical tool for both historical education and the pursuit of international law.
