94-Year-Old Former 731 Unit Member Returns to Japan After First Post-War Visit to China
A 94-year-old former member of Japan’s notorious Unit 731, which conducted biological warfare research during World War II, has returned to Japan after making his first visit to China since the end of the conflict to pay respects to the victims. Hideo Kurita, who joined the unit at the age of 14, traveled to哈尔滨, China, from August 12 to 15 to visit the site of the former 731 facility.
Kurita, now residing in Miyada Village, Nagano Prefecture, expressed his determination to visit while he was still physically capable, to console the spirits of those who perished as a result of the unit’s activities. The unit, under the Imperial Japanese Army, is believed to have carried out lethal experiments on human subjects and developed biological weapons.
During his visit, Kurita revisited the facility’s grounds, reflecting on his past involvement in细菌研究 without fully understanding the purpose, which ultimately supported the war effort. He expressed deep regret for his role in these activities. Kurita also paid tribute at a memorial monument within the site, apologizing to the victims and reaffirming his commitment never to participate in or support war again.
Kurita shared that he received warm hospitality from the local community during his visit. He emphasized the importance of passing on the lessons of history to future generations, stating, I want to tell my grandchildren under any circumstances, never to wage war. Kurita plans to hold a public report in September in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, to share his experience with local citizens.
The former 731 unit member’s visit to China highlights the ongoing efforts to acknowledge and remember the atrocities committed during World War II. It also underscores the significance of reconciliation and understanding between nations in ensuring such dark chapters of history are not repeated.
Unit 731’s activities, kept secret for decades, have been the subject of extensive research and documentation in recent years, shedding light on the human suffering caused by the unit’s experiments. The unit’s actions have been condemned globally as war crimes, and the visit by Kurita serves as a poignant reminder of the personal journeys of those who were once part of the machinery of war seeking atonement.
As Japan and China continue to build diplomatic relations, visits like Kurita’s contribute to fostering a deeper understanding of the past and promoting peace. By confronting the past, individuals like Kurita play a vital role in ensuring that the memory of the victims is preserved and that future generations learn from the horrors of war.
【source】https://nwapi.nhk.jp/nhkworld/rdnewsweb/v6b/zh/detail/20240827_ML04.json
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