The article you provided discusses the unique history of the Japanese Worker-Peasant School, established by the Chinese Communist Party in Yan’an during World War II. This school was aimed at re-educating and rehabilitating Japanese soldiers who had been captured by the Chinese forces, particularly the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army. The article highlights the humane treatment and education provided to these soldiers, many of whom had been indoctrinated with militarist and fascist ideologies.
The school, founded in 1940, was the result of a proposal by Japanese Communist Party member Okano Susumu (冈野进), who had arrived in Yan’an. The decision to establish the school was made by the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee and the General Political Department of the Eighth Route Army. The facility was located on the slope of Baota Mountain, a significant site in Yan’an, which initially sparked controversy due to its symbolic importance. However, the location was chosen for its peaceful environment and ample space to accommodate the students.
The school was named Japanese Worker-Peasant School by Mao Zedong, acknowledging the origins of many of the soldiers from working-class backgrounds in Japan. The education and rehabilitation process was challenging, as the soldiers were deeply influenced by Japanese militarism. However, the school’s staff, which included both Chinese educators and reformed Japanese soldiers, employed various methods to reach out to the students. The curriculum included courses on Marxism, political economics, and the history of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), among others.
The article also recounts the transformation of some of the soldiers, such as former Japanese military doctor Sato Takeo, who was initially planning to escape but was moved by the care he received from the Chinese medical staff when he fell ill. Another example is Sakai Kyoji, who wrote a book titled A Japanese Soldier in the Eighth Route Army, describing his experiences and the gradual change in his worldview.
The Japanese Worker-Peasant School was a significant initiative in the history of the Chinese Communist Party, demonstrating their commitment to peace, justice, and international solidarity. The school aimed to transform the captured soldiers into anti-fascist fighters and fostered a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding between Chinese and Japanese people. The success of the school is evident in the testimonies of former students who became advocates for peace and friendship between China and Japan after their experiences in Yan’an.
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