Introduction

The Northeast Asian region has witnessed phenomenal economic growth and the spread of democratization in recent decades. Intraregional exchanges and interactions, especially cultural and economic, have been impressive as well. Yet wounds from past wrongs – committed in times of colonialism, war, and dictatorship – are not fully healed. All Northeast Asian nations have some sense of victimization – Japan vis-à-vis the United States and Russia, and China and Korea vis-à-vis Japan – and often blame others, rather than taking responsibility.1 In fact, overcoming historical animosities has become one of the most pressing issues for the region.