Translation guide
Refers to the mass atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Nanjing, China, in 1937–1938. In Japanese, the event is most commonly known as 南京事件 (Nankin Jiken, 'Nanjing Incident'), though other terms exist with different political and historical connotations.
To refer to the event in a neutral or academic context, without strong political connotations.
The most common and relatively neutral term in Japanese, literally 'Nanjing Incident'. Widely used in academic and media contexts.
南京事件は日中戦争中の出来事です。
The Nanjing Incident is an event during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Literally 'Nanjing Massacre'. This term explicitly acknowledges the atrocities but is less common in mainstream Japanese discourse; often used by those emphasizing the scale of violence.
南京大虐殺の犠牲者数については議論があります。
There is debate about the number of victims of the Nanjing Massacre.
A less common variant combining 'massacre' and 'incident'. Used in some historical texts.
南京虐殺事件に関する資料が公開された。
Documents related to the Nanjing Massacre Incident were released.
To emphasize the criminal nature of the acts, often in international or human rights contexts.
The standard term when framing the event as a massacre or atrocity. Used in international tribunals and by scholars focusing on war crimes.
南京大虐殺は極東国際軍事裁判で裁かれた。
The Nanjing Massacre was tried at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.
To refer to the event using the English name, often in discussions of Western historiography or when quoting English sources.
Direct katakana transliteration of the English phrase. Rarely used except when specifically referencing the English term or title of a book/film.
『レイプ・オブ・ナンキン』という本を読みました。
I read the book 'The Rape of Nanking'.
The terminology is highly politicized in Japan. 南京事件 is the mainstream media term, while 南京大虐殺 is often associated with left-leaning or international perspectives. Right-wing nationalists may deny the event or use terms like 南京戦 (Nankin-sen, 'Battle of Nanjing') to reframe it as a military operation. Be aware of the connotations when choosing a term.
南京事件 is the default in Japanese news and textbooks, but it can be seen as euphemistic by those who want to emphasize the massacre. 南京大虐殺 explicitly acknowledges mass killing but is less common in domestic discourse. In English, 'Rape of Nanking' is the standard historical term, but direct translation may not convey the same nuance.
Even when discussing atrocities, some Japanese sources use this term, but it may downplay the severity. Context is key.
Using this term in English contexts translated as 'Rape of Nanking' may sound euphemistic. Clarify the nature of the event if needed.
南京事件の残虐行為は多くの国で非難されている。
The atrocities of the Nanjing Incident are condemned by many countries.