A collection of rare historical photographs taken by a Japanese soldier has exposed the horrifying war crimes committed by Japan during its invasion of China last century, sparking renewed calls for the Japanese society to confront and reflect on this dark chapter of history.
In recent years, Japanese civic groups have actively disclosed evidence of wartime atrocities related to the invading Japanese troops in China. Among these efforts, the Japan-China Friendship Association has preserved a wealth of photos including harrowing images documenting the Nanjing Massacre, one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. These photographs are regularly displayed in exhibitions across Japan.
One photograph, taken when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital Nanjing in 1937, stands out for its chilling detail. It shows the bodies of victims - many of them civilians, including women and children - piled on the banks of the Yangtze River following a bloody slaughter.
"After a mass execution, the Japanese troops used gasoline and heavy oil to burn the bodies. The corpses shown in this part of the image were charred black. It is a scene of cruelty and tragedy beyond description," explained Hisashi Inoue, president of the Japan-China Friendship Association.
This photo is just one of many incriminating scenes documented by late Japanese serviceman Moriyasu Murase, who captured over 3,000 images in China between 1937 and 1940. His photographs also include evidence of the Japanese invaders' direct involvement in operating "comfort stations."
"He (Murase) served as a photographer for the Japanese army and took many photographs under orders from his superiors. These photos are particularly valuable because we know who took them. He was a Japanese soldier who had unrestricted access to document scenes that were unfavorable to the Japanese military. These photos hold great historical value," said Inoue.
After Murase passed away, his family donated the photos to the Japan-China Friendship Association. Inoue emphasized that these images serve as a harsh reminder of war atrocities and the importance of preventing their recurrence.
"In Japan, the Nanjing Massacre and the Japanese military's invasion of China remain insufficiently acknowledged by the public. Many young people are unaware of these facts. Furthermore, there's a considerable number of right-wing individuals in Japan who advocate for historical revisionism. These people believe the Japanese military could not have been at fault and even deny the facts presented by China, dismissing them as false accusations. From the perspective of both historical truth and Japan-China friendship, these erroneous views must be corrected and criticized," said Inoue.
The association also expressed concerns over the Japanese government's longstanding attempts to obscure or distort this history, resulting in widespread public ignorance. By gathering and presenting compelling evidence, they hope to encourage deeper reflection, especially among younger generations.
Another exhibition in Iida City featured medical instruments linked to the notorious Unit 731, brought back by former youth soldiers. Yoshitaka Tanaka, vice president of the Japan-China Friendship Association, said it was the first time these instruments and related stories have been publicly shown.
"Now these facts are being displayed and the public is shocked by what they see. Based on this feedback, we must spread historical truths more widely across Japan," he said.
"We must take history seriously and pass it on correctly to future generations. It is also necessary to foster amicable relations with neighboring nations," said Inoue.
Japanese wartime atrocities in China captured through soldier's lens
