NANJING, China—The politics of North Asia are shaped by historical memories. In China, these memories are filled with loathing, especially toward Japan.

The memories are kept current by vast museums such as the "Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders" that sprawls over 18 acres in this southern Chinese city. In 1937, Japanese troops went on a six-week rampage of murder and rape here. At the time, Nanjing, then known as Nanking, was the capital of China when it was ruled by the Kuomintang.

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