Various conservative and revisionist factions in Japan have disputed the accuracy of the book. They claim that the book contains many fabricated photographs and cannot be trusted.
The Japanese translation was halted because of disagreement between Chang and Kashiwashobo, the publisher. As a result of the controversy and evidentiary disputes surrounding the book, Kashiwashobo had planned to publish a critical commentary in the same volume.
The accuracy of the book has not been questioned outside of Japan.