Yang+Liu's+diary+entry+3

Dear Diary,



When the Japanese army came closer to Nanjing, the Chinese citizens were in absolute panic. I asked several of them why they are showing such reactions. I have found out that they were showing these reactions because they foresaw a war in which Japan will declare on them. I also heard people talking about how the Kuimintang (KMT) ordered every piece of China's soil to be turned into ash. This just means there will be absolute chaos. I am just afraid of seeing more violence. When will violence be stopped? I did not even meet my parents yet and I am pretty sure that I will just end my life in this disastrous place either being shot by a soldier or burnt. I really don't want to end my life meaninglessly.

I managed to talk to one of the sons of a Japanese mother named Miyuki Akita. It seemed like he wasn't having a great life. I could see the darkness on his face and that something was concerning him. Even though he is Japanese, I knew that he was a lonely person whom wanted apprentice and will therefore allow me to talk to him. I confronted him and asked him about his views on the war between Japan and China. I was surprised to hear about how he had negative views for what Japan was doing. I was expecting a response that would support the Japanese government and want Japan's victory. He started telling me about his family relationship. He was a son with two other siblings. I noticed he was truly a caring son. He thought for his brothers and his mother before he cared about himself. He also said he just wanted Japan to stop the war so that he will be able to stay with his whole family together peacefully in his own nation, Japan. I never knew a Japanese citizen will also be in such a heartbreaking situation. For all citizens of China and Japan, I hope violence will be seized and peace will come.

July 31st 1942