Historical consciousness and Japan, China and South Korea's shared history teaching materials

Relations between Japan, China and South Korea continue to be influenced by differing views of history. These diverse perceptions persist in part because of the different ways in which historical events are taught in each country. In 2005, however, a common history teaching resource, 'History to Open the Future - the modern history of Japan, China and South Korea', was published almost simultaneously in each of the three countries. This article, from one of the co-authors, elaborates on the rationale for the book, the process by which it came about, and the impact that the book has had on historical understanding among teachers, students and the general public.