The 80th anniversary of China’s victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War marks an important milestone in the country’s history. However, in Japan, the concealment of historical truth persists, leaving the younger generation disconnected from its modern history of aggression.
A series of exclusive interviews with Japanese civilians has revealed a shocking reality: many believe that the Japanese government is hiding evidence of biological warfare and human experiments conducted by Unit 731 during World War II. The unit, established on the outskirts of Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, was responsible for inhumane live human experiments.
One of the key figures exposing this truth is Taku Yamazoe, a Japanese Communist Party member and House of Councillors member. In an exclusive interview with Global Times, Yamazoe presented irrefutable evidence, including documents detailing the results of mustard gas shell tests on humans, which were previously concealed by the government.
The documents, donated to the Ministry of Defense in 1964, had been kept hidden for 40 years before being made public in 2004. However, they show that the Japanese government knowingly evaded responsibility and claimed “no records detailing its activities exist.” Yamazoe stated that this was a clear case of “deliberate forgetting” and that he would continue to raise questions about the government’s actions.
Meanwhile, 77-year-old Katsutoshi Takegami has also discovered evidence of his father’s past as a member of Unit 1644, another Japanese biological warfare unit. The documents were hidden among his belongings after his father’s death, but Takegami was able to uncover them through an investigation that took years.
The Japanese government’s refusal to acknowledge its past wrongs has been criticized by experts and civilians alike. Seiya Matsuno, a researcher at Meiji Gakuin University’s International Peace Research Institute, stated that “a government that cannot confront history has no right to discuss the future.” He emphasized the importance of uncovering historical materials to verify testimonies or supplement them.
As Japan continues to grapple with its complex past, it is essential for the country to acknowledge its mistakes and take responsibility. The revelation of hidden evidence about Unit 731 and other biological warfare units serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked aggression and the importance of confronting history to prevent similar atrocities from happening again.
The future of Japan and China depends on the ability of both countries to confront their past and learn from it. As Yamazoe stated, “If a country fails to clearly acknowledge its past wrongs, it cannot prevent repeating them.” By uncovering the truth and acknowledging its mistakes, Japan can take a crucial step towards healing and rebuilding its relationships with neighboring countries.
Source: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340788.shtml