“History Remembered” Understanding WW2 in the Pacific (The Presidio)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

Join us for a Day of Understanding and Dialogue: Presidio Officers Club, San Francisco | September 18th, 2025

Pacific Atrocities Education (PAE), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is proud to host a one-day event at the historic Presidio Officers Club in San Francisco, CA, on September 18th, 2025. This gathering aims to foster understanding, dialogue, and connection among communities impacted by historical events, with a focus on telling untold stories of World War 2.

“History Remembered” Understanding WW2 in the Pacific
Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 8a
The Presidio, 50 Moraga Ave., SF
FREE – RSVP

Program Schedule

• 8:00 AM – Breakfast & Check-in
  Begin the day with breakfast and event registration.
• 8:30 AM – PAE Introduction & Welcome
  Pacific Atrocities Education (PAE) provides an overview of the day’s program and its mission to preserve historical memory.
• 9:00 AM – Dr. Stacey Salinas: Pinay Guerrilleras
  Dr. Stacey Salinas discusses the vital roles of Filipina guerrilleras in resisting Japanese occupation during World War II.
• 9:00 AM – Gabriel Fermin: A Theory of Japanese Fascism
  He will briefly examine and compare the socio-political conditions of Fascist Italy and Germany with those of Imperial Japan. He will argue that, contrary to contemporary scholarship, Imperial Japan during World War II unequivocally qualifies as a genuine fascist regime.​
• 10:00 AM – Quin Cho: The Kwantung Army and Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932
  Quin Cho examines the Kwantung Army’s actions and introduces his new book, Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932, offering insights into Japan’s imperial ambitions.
• 11:00 AM – High School Students’ Documentary: Unit 731 & Q&A
  High school students, winners of the National History Day at New Mexico State competition, present their documentary on Unit 731, Japan’s notorious biological and chemical warfare unit, followed by a Q&A session.
• 12:00 PM – Lunch & Christine’s Talk: “The Shadow of Gold”
  During lunch, Christine presents “The Shadow of Gold: How the Yamashita Treasure Overshadowed His Atrocities in Recent Philippine Memory,” highlighting archival research at PAE using primary source documents from the National Archives.
• 1:00 PM – Jeremy Kuzmarov: The U.S. “Reverse Course” in Japan (1945–1952)
  Jeremy Kuzmarov explores the U.S. occupation of Japan’s “reverse course,” a Cold War-driven policy that prioritized anti-communism over democratization. This shift preserved the power of Zaibatsu conglomerates, curtailed economic reforms, and rehabilitated war criminals like Nobusuke Kishi, the “Monster of Showa,” who oversaw slave labor during Japan’s occupation of Manchuria. Through covert CIA funding, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), including figures like Kishi and Yakuza founder Yoshio Kodama, was bolstered, whitewashing Japan’s imperialist past. This enabled Kishi’s grandson, Shinzo Abe, to later downplay wartime atrocities as Japan’s Prime Minister.
• 1:00 PM – Breakout Session: Dr. Jean B. Chan, Survivor
  Join Dr. Jean B. Chan, a survivor, for an intimate discussion of her childhood experiences surviving the Japanese invasion of China.
• 2:00 PM – Watanabe’s Performance: Confession
  Yoshiji Watanabe performs Confession, a powerful piece reflecting on his father’s role in Manchuria during Japan’s invasion.
• 2:00 PM – Breakout Session: Quin Cho
  Engage with Quin Cho for a deeper discussion on their research into the Kwantung Army and Japan’s Empire in Manchuria to 1932.
• 3:00 PM – Ray Matsumoto: Japanese Propaganda
  Ray Matsumoto, author of Echoes of Empire: The Power of Japanese Propaganda, discusses the role of propaganda in advancing Japan’s imperial agenda.
• 3:00 PM – Breakout Session: Dr. Stacey Salinas
  Participate in a focused session with Dr. Stacey Salinas on the legacy of Pinay guerrilleras and their historical impact.

Who Should Attend?
We warmly invite individuals and organizations from all walks of life to join us in this important conversation. This includes:

• Bay Area Community Leaders
• Local, National, and International Media
• Historians and Scholars
• Students and Youth Organizations
• Veterans and Their Families
• Anyone interested in learning about the history of Japanese imperial military brutalities during the 20th century

Why Attend?
​This event offers a unique opportunity to engage in thoughtful dialogue, deepen your understanding of historical events, and contribute to ongoing efforts toward reconciliation and peace. By bringing together diverse voices, we aim to create a space where history is not only remembered but also used as a tool for building a more compassionate and peaceful world.

 

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Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.