A representative of a Japanese anti-war delegation has called on the Japanese government to deeply reflect on the country's history of aggression, vowing that his organization will resolutely ensure the historical truth is recounted and passed down to future generations.
The delegation, led by Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crimes Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Wednesday.
The delegation viewed historical materials and physical exhibits documenting crimes committed by Unit 731, the notorious Japanese germ warfare division during World War II (WWII), including the waging of biological warfare, the development of biological weapons, and the conduct of human experiments.
"The act of injecting bacteria into living human beings and murdering them can only be described as demonic. While I was already aware of such atrocities, learning the details today has left us chilled to the bone. As a Japanese person, I absolutely cannot forgive such diabolical conduct, and I will continue to work toward addressing this. It is particularly galling that the Japanese military personnel and scholars who committed these monstrous, cruel acts faced no punishment after the war; instead, they lived freely within Japanese society, some becoming senior university administrators, others rising to executive positions in pharmaceutical companies. Those who should have been severely punished for war crimes were allowed to live out their lives in comfort and impunity," he said.
Regarding the various actions by the current Japanese government that trample upon and distort history, Fujita said that such conduct is absolutely intolerable.
"Needless to say, visits by Japanese politicians, including the Prime Minister, to Yasukuni Shrine are absolutely unacceptable. Yet, regrettably, there are still members of the Japanese Diet going to visit the shrine. We must strongly oppose these misguided trends that trample upon and distort history," said Fujita.
Fujita further emphasized the necessity of ensuring that the historical truth is recounted and passed down to future generations, and that a correct understanding of history is established among the Japanese public.
"Through our work with the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, we share these historical records with our members and the younger generation, ensuring that the facts of this war of aggression are recounted and preserved for posterity. I believe that a correct historical perspective is the only foundation upon which friendship between China and Japan, and between Japan and the rest of Asia, can be built. Any friendship that ignores historical facts is inherently false and cannot exist. We'll continue our efforts to foster a peaceful Asia and promote friendship between China and Japan. I believe this is the only path forward," he said.
The Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement was established in Tokyo in November 2013 by figures from Japan's political and academic circles. Its purpose is to maintain a commitment to reflecting on Japan's acts of aggression and colonization during World War II, and to encourage Japan to continue along a path of peace and non-militarism.
Japanese delegation visits Unit 731 atrocities exhibition, reflects on history of aggression
Japanese delegation visits Unit 731 atrocities exhibition, reflects on history of aggression
