Zou Can

Research Topics

Modern and Contemporary Japan-China (Taiwan) Relations, History of the Sino-Japanese War, Chinese Political History, Political Science of Symbols and Memory

Research Overview

I am conducting empirical research on the historical factors and mechanisms through which World War II, including the Sino-Japanese War, influenced postwar Sino-Japanese relations and regional relations in East Asia. The analysis adopts two chief approaches. The first approach conducts historical verification and comparative research on the differing perceptions and interpretations of the war held by various power actors involved (top-down perspective), as well as the diverse wartime experiences and memories of those who lived through the war, differing in status, occupation, gender, and nationality (bottom-up perspective).

The second approach focuses on political symbols related to the war, such as commemorative dates, monuments, and memorial halls, to clarify how collective memory has been constructed and maintained and how it has influenced public sentiment.
The foundation of the current international order and its rules was established after World War II, and its very core appears to be significantly shaken in recent years. To explore strategies for breaking the deadlock in the postwar order, examining the historical origins, flaws, and limitations of that order is essential.
Limiting the discussion to the East Asian region, the unresolved issues left over from the war, which were either unable or unwilling to be incorporated into the postwar order, have consistently cast a shadow over regional relations. As these issues lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and disputes between nations, they remain critical challenges that require further research from a historical perspective. Consequently, I am conducting research that unravels historical issues in East Asia, focusing primarily on the history of the Sino-Japanese War.
Please refer to the figure and link below for representative research findings.

Message to Students

I look forward to interacting with those interested in examining modern and contemporary East Asian wars, the end of the war, and the postwar period from multifaceted perspectives, including political history and the history of international relations. In particular, I welcome students who are committed to conducting empirical analyses of wartime mobilization and propaganda, as well as those who wish to explore and study historical sources related to wartime survivors who have not received much attention to date (such as student soldiers, military nurses, prisoners of war, war orphans, and residents in occupied territories).