A newly disclosed archive concerning the large-scale biological warfare crimes of Japan's notorious Unit 731 provides further confirmation that its atrocities were systematic, organized, and state-backed criminal acts.
The Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in northeast China's Harbin on Saturday unveiled a handwritten confession by Tsunenori Kato, a commander of the Hailar branch of Unit 731.
Kato's confession provided detailed accounts of Unit 731's organizational structure, core missions, leadership system, experimental activities, plans for biological warfare against the Soviet Union and the operations of its regional branches. It clearly establishes the criminal nature of Unit 731's engagement in biological warfare, sabotage, and live human experimentation, according to researchers.
"We conducted a detailed review of the confession, and found that Tsunenori Kato documented, from his personal perspective, the organizational structure, personnel composition, and criminal activities of the Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army. He repeatedly described in detail practices including human experimentation and bacteriological research. The confession meticulously recorded the unit's leaders, Shiro Ishii and Masaji Kitano, as well as its eight internal departments -- each with clearly listed names," said Jin Shicheng, director of the Department of Publicity, Education and Exhibition at the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.
The confession also disclosed the unit's operational quotas, including the scaling of white mouse breeding from 500 to 1,000 rodents and a monthly delivery of 300 mice, as well as preparations for flea cultivation -- revealing the full criminal chain of Unit 731, from research and development at headquarters to logistical support at branch units and eventual field deployment.
According to the confession, the different branches of Unit 731 were established as strongholds for waging bacteriological warfare against the Soviet Union. It confirms that the planning and implementation of such warfare were uniformly directed by the upper echelons of Japan's military.
"Notably, the confession recorded that in June 1945, Tokyo issued orders to halt bacteriological warfare plans. This clearly demonstrates that Unit 731's biological warfare operations were not the isolated actions of a single military unit, but rather a large-scale, top down organized state crime with directions from Tokyo," Jin said.
The original document of the confession is preserved at a regional branch of the Russian Federal Security Service and was declassified upon the Pushkin Scientific Library's application. In February this year, a photocopied version was donated to the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Archival evidence reveals Japan's Unit 731 crimes as premeditated state-led atrocity
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stressed strengthening implementation of the country's gun laws after the school shooting in Nonthaburi province on Friday.
Eight people were confirmed dead, including the gunman and his grandparents, and over 30 people were injured, with nine in critical condition, after a gunman opened fire at a school and home in Nonthaburi province earlier the day.
Local police were notified around 10:00 local time after the gunman opened fire at Debsirin Nonthaburi School in the Bang Kruai district.
A witness at the scene said the gunman wore a purple tracksuit and fired dozens of shots in the school.
"I called my friends into a room and we set up a barricade at the door because we could not lock it. We then waited for authorities to tell us what to do," said a student named Kittiphat Chulerd.
It was reported that the alleged attacker, identified as a 14-year-old student, had been living with his grandparents. Thai police discovered the bodies of his grandparents at their home, with investigators believing they were shot dead before the attack at the school.
Authorities said a handgun was recovered at the scene, and initial information suggested it belonged to the grandfather of the alleged shooter. A large quantity of ammunition was also found in the suspected shooter's bag.
According to Thai media reports, during the investigation of the motive for the school shooting case, Thai police found on the suspect shooter's computer that he had searched and studied an American school shooting case.
Anutin told the media at the scene that the reason for the attack may be excessive academic pressure since the alleged student shooter's grandparents were very strict with his studies.
A friend of the gunman also confirmed that he was under great pressure recently and had made thorough preparations before the shooting, and had even posted photos of the gun he used on social media.
Anutin also said such an incident must not be allowed to happen again, noting that the government will promote stricter gun control measures, and relevant departments must strengthen supervision of gun ownership situations.
He said no one is allowed to carry guns into public places unless performing official duties.
"The law is quite clear. Citizens are not in the position that requires them to possess guns and carry arms in public. From now on, checks will be made and if civilians are found to be carrying arms illegally, they will be arrested," said Anutin.
The school now stands empty after students were evacuated. The Thai government has deployed mental health crisis assessment and treatment teams to support those affected.
"I just came back from the hospital and see the parents of the students who are in the operation room. Two of them, we hope they will be in a good condition within days. But we are very worried about one of the girls that got shot in the head. She is in a very severe condition. So all the doctors insist and try their best to take care of her and her family whatever it takes, yes," said Pattana Promphat, Thai Minister of Public Health.
Thai PM stresses stricter gun control after school shooting
