I should have posted this here earlier, but I just wanted people to know that I am going to be part of a panel tomorrow, 4/4, at the AnimeBoston convention. The panel will discuss Japan's involvement in WWII and the influence of that experience on postwar anime and manga (Japanese animation and comic books). I will be handling the history side of the panel, and I will also be mentioning the subject of postwar Japanese denial and evasion of responsibility. If anyone is interested, the panel will run from 5:45 to 7:15 PM at the Public Garden of the Sheraton Hotel in Boston's Back Bay. Google search for AnimeBoston and you will find details. Unfortunately it is not free but if you are in the area and interested let me know and I will see what I can do.
It went rather well. I had some people get bored and walk out, but others stayed and asked intelligent questions. The audience turned out to be better informed and somewhat older than I expected, so I had to skip much of the presentation and hit the high points only. A good number of the fans present talked to me afterwards and asked for my email to get a reading list. I learned a lot myself and would like to do the panel again next year, only better.
Very true Andreas. I have had some experience in this area. Lately, I have been asked by some Regimental Museums to speak about Chindit 1. I would love to do this, but it is all about finding the time, sadly I still have to work full time.