Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Japanese Veteran Confronts Germ-warfare Crimes in China

POSTED ON August 16, 2024 •   World      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Hideo Shimizu visits the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2024. l Credit: Xinhua/Zhang Tao

As 94-year-old Japanese veteran Hideo Shimizu wrapped up his four-day visit to Harbin, northeastern China, on Thursday, he expressed, "This may be my last chance to come to China and apologize."

Over the past 79 years, Shimizu became the fifth member of the notorious Japanese Unit 731 germ-warfare detachment during World War II, and likely the last, to return to Harbin to confess and seek forgiveness for their war crimes, said Jin Chengmin, curator of the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.

 According to Jin, out of the 3,607 registered members who served in Unit 731, only a few have acknowledged the historical facts.

Shimizu fled China with the retreating Japanese forces on Aug. 14, 1945. His trip to Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province, from Aug. 12 to 15 marked his first return to Chinese soil in 79 years.

Even after nearly 80 years, the former member of the Unit 731 Youth Corps still remembers the place where he stayed more than four months and witnessed the war crimes committed by the germ-warfare detachment during World War II, including the cultivation of pathogens, human dissections and human experiments.

During his poignant visit to the former headquarters of Unit 731 and the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army, Shimizu walked through the commander's office, the specimen room, and the site of the frostbite laboratory, recounting to the museum curator and others what had seen during his military service.

He repented, bowing deeply before the monument dedicated to "apology and the commitment to peace without war." Then, he stepped forward to touch the black tablet

"I cannot restrain my profound regret and apology for joining the germ corps and becoming an aggressor," Shimizu said. "Once again, I express my heartfelt apologies."

Headquartered in Harbin, the Japanese bacteriology unit killed thousands of Chinese civilians and prisoners of war at its sprawling complex from the late 1930s until the end of the war.

Shimizu said that as a teenager, he was coerced by his Japanese school teacher to join the army as an "apprentice technician," unaware of the unit he was being recruited into.

In Unit 731, he saw the remains and bodies of Chinese victims, referred to in Japanese as "marutas," or wooden logs. Even pregnant women and children were soaked in formaldehyde in the specimen room. 

He described the actions of Unit 731 in China as war crimes that have always haunted him.

 

Hideo Shimizu (L) repents and apologizes in front of the monument to "apology and the commitment to peace without war" at the former site of Unit 731 in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province,

Hideo Shimizu (L) repents and apologizes in front of the monument to "apology and the commitment to peace without war" at the former site of Unit 731 in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2024. l  Credit: Xinhua/Wang Song

Before his trip to China, Shimizu had delivered over 20 public speeches exposing Unit 731's germ-warfare crimes using his personal experiences and historical records. He had also expressed a strong desire to return to China to pray for the deceased and apologize to their families. His visit to Harbin was made possible by donations from various Japanese civilian groups.

Hideo Shimizu prays in front of the list of victims at the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army

Hideo Shimizu prays in front of the list of victims at the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 13, 2024.   l   Credit: Xinhua/Zhang Tao

The atrocities committed by Unit 731 were among the most horrific acts during Japan's invasion of China in World War II. 

On Thursday, China commemorated the 79th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, with people across the country engaging in activities to observe these historical events.

The Chinese people remain deeply disturbed by the revelations of the biological warfare conducted by Unit 731. 

More than 2 million people have visited the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army as of August 1 this year, making it one of the top tourist destinations in Harbin, as people choose to confront this history and yearn for peace.

READ ALSO
FG sets August deadline for irregular migrants to regularize status
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 26, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government has revealed its intention to enforce stricter measures agai...

READ ALSO
Nigeria seeks Egyptian expertise in power generation, rural electrification
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 24, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government has announced its intention to learn about power generation...

READ ALSO
Cataracts and Glaucoma: Key causes of blindness in Plateau- Health Commissioner
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 20, 2025 0

The health commissioner of Plateau, Nicholas Baamlong, has announced that the state has a blindness...

READ ALSO
India reaffirms commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 20, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The High Commission of India has reiterated its commitment to enhancing bilateral r...

READ ALSO
FAO warns of 'Unprecedented' Avian Flu spread, urges immediate global action
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 19, 2025 0

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that the swift spread of the highly cont...

READ ALSO
Nigeria at risk of HIV treatment shortage as WHO highlights impact of U.S. foreign Aid cuts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 18, 2025 0

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday that Nigeria is one of nine countries on the...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's response to WTO obligations, AfCFTA opportunities for foreign investment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 16, 2025 0

In light of Nigeria's previous commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) global trade agreeme...

READ ALSO
China prosecutes over 21,000 for counterfeit goods in 2024, Intensifying crackdown on fraudulent sales
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 14, 2025 0

Chinese procuratorial organs said it prosecuted 21,404 individuals in 2024 for producing and selling...

OUR CHANNELS:

Emir Sunusi's Durbar highlights Nigeria's Rich cultural legacy amidst challenges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 2, 2025 0

DUTSE, Nigeria - Women with veils cried out joyfully as the sounds of trumpets and hunting guns reso...


APC caution Cross River members against unauthorize legal suits
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The cross Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress has wa...


Sahel States' 0.5% Levy on Imports threatens Regional Trade and Economic Unity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have intensified their separation from the regional economic bloc by i...


NSIA reports ₦3.74Trn profit, celebrating 12 years of continuous profitability
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - THE Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) reported generating approximately...


Army arrest 39 Oil thieves, dismantled 18 illegal refining sites in Niger Delta
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

NIGER DELTA - In a significant setback for oil thieves in the Niger Delta Region, the troops of the...


FG announce independence bridge closure begins April 1
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Federal Government has announced the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina...


Three Nigerians in US plead guilty in $4.5m Money laundering case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 31, 2025 0

Three Nigerians residing in the United States Olumide Olorunfunmi, Samson Amos, and Emmanuel Unuigbe...


Fuel price crisis looms as Naira-for-Crude arrangement remains unresolved
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 31, 2025 0

There is growing concern in the downstream segment of the oil and gas industry as operators anticipa...


NCDC confirms 645 Lassa Fever Cases, 807 suspected meningitis cases
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 31, 2025 0

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 645 confirmed cases of Las...


Super Eagles coach aims to revamp team ahead of September qualifiers
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 1, 2025 0

Still feeling the effects of a lackluster performance by some of his players during the recent 2026...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu