In a fresh wave of historical debate, China has reignited controversy over who truly defeated Japan in World War II, claiming that its long resistance against Japanese occupation was the decisive factor in Tokyo’s surrender. At the same time, Chinese narratives are increasingly labeling the Pearl Harbor strike and subsequent U.S. role as “overrated.” This revisionist approach has sparked backlash among historians and Western commentators, who argue that while China’s contribution was significant, the decisive blows came from the United States and the Soviet Union, alongside other Allied powers.
The Global Struggle Against Imperial Japan
Japan’s imperial ambitions in Asia began long before Pearl Harbor. By 1937, Tokyo had launched a full-scale invasion of China, leading to some of the most brutal battles of the era. Millions of Chinese lives were lost in what is often called the Second Sino-Japanese War. Chinese resistance—both by the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek and Communist forces under Mao Zedong—did play a vital role in tying down Japanese troops. For nearly eight years, China absorbed massive Japanese military resources, preventing them from being deployed elsewhere.
But by 1941, Japan had expanded its aggression across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the United States into the war. For many historians, this was the turning point. The U.S. not only mobilized its vast industrial power but also spearheaded the naval and air campaigns that eventually broke Japan’s military backbone.
The Role of the United States
From 1942 onwards, the U.S. Navy scored crucial victories at battles such as Midway, Guadalcanal, and later Iwo Jima and Okinawa. These operations steadily dismantled Japanese defenses and brought American bombers within striking distance of Japan’s home islands. By 1945, U.S. strategic bombing campaigns had devastated Japanese cities and industries, pushing the country to the brink of collapse.
The ultimate turning point came in August 1945 with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which directly forced Japan’s leadership to reconsider its ability to continue the war. The devastation left Japan no choice but to surrender unconditionally.
The Soviet Factor
Often overshadowed in Western narratives, the Soviet Union also played a decisive role in Japan’s defeat. On August 8, 1945—just days after Hiroshima—the Soviets launched a massive assault on Japanese forces in Manchuria. Within a week, the once-feared Kwantung Army was crushed. For Japan, this was a devastating blow. They were now facing not only the American advance but also a Soviet invasion on the Asian mainland.
Many historians argue that this two-pronged shock—the atomic bombs and the Soviet invasion—sealed Japan’s fate, forcing Emperor Hirohito to announce surrender on August 15, 1945.
China’s Contribution and the Debate
There is no doubt that China’s endurance against Japan was critical in the wider Allied strategy. Chinese resistance pinned down more than a million Japanese soldiers throughout the war, preventing them from being used elsewhere in Asia or the Pacific. For China, this was a matter of national survival, and the sacrifices were immense.
However, the current push by Beijing to claim that China was the decisive power in defeating Japan in World War II is viewed by many historians as historical revisionism. While China undeniably played a key role, the decisive military defeat of Japan came through the combination of U.S. firepower and Soviet intervention.
Pearl Harbor: Overrated or a Turning Point?
China’s recent claim that the Pearl Harbor attack is overrated has further fueled the debate. Chinese outlets argue that the U.S. entered the war only after being directly attacked, while China had been fighting Japan for years. While factually true, dismissing Pearl Harbor overlooks its global impact. The attack galvanized the U.S., shifting it from isolationism to full-scale war participation. Without American involvement, historians widely agree that Japan’s defeat would have taken much longer—if it had happened at all.
The Final Surrender
On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, signing documents that acknowledged defeat not just to the U.S., but to the Allied powers collectively. This surrender marked the end of World War II.
Historical Memory and Today’s Narratives
The question of who defeated Japan in World War II is more than just academic. For China, emphasizing its role serves both national pride and modern political narratives. By presenting itself as the main force behind Japan’s defeat, China strengthens its claim as a central power in shaping 20th-century and contemporary world history.
For the U.S., the legacy of Pearl Harbor, the Pacific battles, and the atomic bombings remain central to its historical identity as the power that ended the war in Asia. Meanwhile, Russia continues to highlight its Manchurian campaign as a demonstration of Soviet military might.
Ultimately, history shows that Japan’s defeat was the result of a collective Allied effort, with decisive blows struck by the United States and the Soviet Union, alongside China’s enduring resistance and the contributions of Britain, Australia, and other allies.
