The Nanjing Massacre, also known as the Rape of Nanking, occurred during the Second Sino-Japanese War in late 1937 and early 1938. Japanese troops captured the then-capital of China, Nanjing, and committed widespread atrocities against Chinese civilians and disarmed soldiers. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of people were killed, and many women were sexually assaulted. The massacre lasted for several weeks, during which the Japanese military engaged in looting, arson, and brutal killings. The event has been a significant point of historical contention between China and Japan, influencing their diplomatic relations and historical narratives to this day.