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The Conscience of Japan
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News and Politics :: Sino-American :: Sino-Japanese :: Human rights and personal freedoms :: Includes Translations :: News and Perspectives ::
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posted Tuesday, 10 January 2006
In modern day China, it is very rare for anybody to shed a tear for the passing of a Japanese WWII veteran, especially in the city of Nanjing, but the case of the late 東史郎 (Azuma Shiro), is a rare case indeed.
Also known as "The Conscience of Japan", 東せんせい (Azuma) rose to prominence in Sino-Japanese circles when, in 1987, he published "My Nanking Platoon" - one of the few documented accounts of the 1937 occupation of 南京 (Nanking); an event often referred to as 'the Nanking Massacre', to be told from the perspective of a Japanese footsoldier.
This act won him acclaim from truth seekers in both Japan and China alike, but also earned him the lasting hatred of Japan's discredited nationalist minority. Which launched a number of legal and propaganda campaigns against him prior to his death, in an attempt to smear his name and discredit his testimony on history.
東史郎 (Azuma Shiro) was 93 at the time of his death and passed away in 京都市 (Kyoto city) on 3 January this year, after a long illness.
His death has been described as being a great loss to history, to the search for truth, and to process of reconciliation between China and Japan.
A revolution
At the time of it's publication, the book, written from 東せんせい (Azuma)'s wartime journal, was considered to be a landmark publication because, unlike many previous Japanese accounts - which either noted that atrocities had occurred, but shied away from including details, or were semi-fictional accounts written by discredited revisionists, 東せんせい (Azuma)'s account was not sanitized or 'adjusted' to suit nationalists or educational needs, and it included descriptions of the numerous atrocities that he had either witnessed, or was make a party to.
Personal Atonement
In addition to the publication of "My Nanking Platoon", 東せんせい (Azuma) also travelled to 南京 (Nanjing) a total of 7 time since the publication of his book, each time traveling to China in order to offer what apologies he could make, and to show the Chinese people that many Japanese felt deep regret and heartfelt remorse over the war; A move which deeply touched many of the Chinese that he came into contact with.
A Rare Honor
In recognition of his actions of atonement, and the work that he did to ensure that the truth about Nanking will never be subsumed by nationalists and revisionists, it was announced that a delegation of three senior Chinese representative were given special leave to attend 東せんせい (Azuma)'s funeral, which was held on Friday. A rare honor indeed, particularly as it comes at a time of heightened tension between China and Japan
Hope
In telling his story, 東せんせい (Azuma) provided many Chinese with a square image that many Japanese fell outside the typical Chinese stereotype, promoted by Beijing, of Japanese being ignorant, unrepentant, or both, and showed many in China, for the first time, that there were many in Japan who felt the genuine remorse that Japan's discredited nationalists and revisionists claim does not, and should not, exist. Brining a few rays of hope into an otherwise hopeless situation.
Nationalist Retribution
Though hailed as a figure of courage and humility by many in China and Japan, in 1993 東せんせい (Azuma) was sued for libel in the Tokyo lower courts by Hashimoto Mituharu - a soldier named by Azuma as having committed war crimes.
In his journal, Azuma had claimed that 橋本 (Hashimoto) had inserted a Chinese civilian into a mailbag, and then immolated them during the occupation, 橋本 (Hashimoto) disputed this; claiming that he had been libeled by 東せんせい (Azuma).
In a much debated case, Japan's lower courts found against 東せんせい (Azuma) - awarding damages to the plaintiff. Despite a lengthy appeal, the verdict was subsequently confirmed by Japan's supreme court.
Though critics have vocally denounced the verdict as being part of a so-called 'whitewash', by nationalists and the judiciary, to cover up Japan's wartime history, it has been noted, among observers, that, under Japanese law 東せんせい (Azuma), did not posses sufficient evidence to back up the claims of brutality make against 橋本 (Hashimoto) in his journal.
Under internationally accepted norms of law, it is up to the defendant to prove that he did not commit libel, rather than for the plaintiff to prove that he has been libeled. Given this, many consider that 東せんせい (Azuma) would have been unlikely have won even had the case been tried by a neutral third party. With supporters later voicing that it may have been best for 東せんせい (Azuma) to describe the events but not to attribute them.
Other Voices - Japan's Silent Witnesses Speak Out
Although many Japanese veterans are weighted down by the unwaivering shame of their actions, and by the atrocities committed in their name by the wartime government, very few have ever felt able to come out and say so in public in the same way as 東せんせい (Azuma); Instead, choosing to bear their shame in silence, as is traditional in Japan. Under the belief that to publicly parade ones shame is not only a shameful act in itself, but that it is also an insult to those who were wronged.
However, despite a cultural reluctance to open up in public, many veteran's have come forward with their stories, both before and since the Publication of "My Nanking Platoon"; Publishing books of their own, contributing to works on Japanese war crimes by authors such as the famed history writer 本多勝一 (Honda Katsuichi), or by providing documented accounts of the atrocities that they committed or witnessed for exhibits such as the 'Comfort Women' exhibit in the Tokyo 'Women in Peace and War' Museum, which opened to critical acclaim in Tokyo, on 1 August 2005 and contained detailed accounts of Japanese war crimes committed against Chinese women.
Others have even acted more directly to make sure that revisionists and nationalists do not have the monopoly on speaking time, including 筱冢良雄(Shinozuka Yoshio), a veteran of the feared Unit 731; a WMD development corps that is believed to have been the instrument of death to countless thousands of Chinese during Pacific run of WWII.
筱冢 (Shinozuka) famously fought to reveal the barbaric acts committed by his unit, even delivering testimony in support of 180 Chinese survives of Unit 731's atrocities, and their families, and was instrumental in a 2002 verdict by Japanese courts which denounced Unit 731 and the atrocities that it committed, as being "clearly inhumane", and the suffering that it caused as being "immense".
筱冢 (Shinozuka) and fellow veterans also contributed to the building of a shrine in 八日市場市 (Yokaichiba City), 千葉県 (Chiba prefecture), dedicated to the memories of Chinese who were murdered during the occupation.
Justice Denied
Ironically, while he served ten years in a Chinese prison camp, as a punishment for his crimes, Japanese courts are currently unable to punish 筱冢 (Shinozuka) and other former members of Unit 731 because of a declaration of amnesty issued by Washington, which granting many of the unit's war criminals their freedom in exchange for the information that they gained while torturing or experimenting on Chinese. A move which effectively denied many Chinese any possibility of gaining justice in Japanese courts, which are legally bound to uphold any proclamations of innocence or amnesty given out by the US after the War.
Information gained from pardoned 731 members later went on to form a substantial component of America's cold war chemical and biological weapons program.
Also known as "The Conscience of Japan", 東せんせい (Azuma) rose to prominence in Sino-Japanese circles when, in 1987, he published "My Nanking Platoon" - one of the few documented accounts of the 1937 occupation of 南京 (Nanking); an event often referred to as 'the Nanking Massacre', to be told from the perspective of a Japanese footsoldier.
This act won him acclaim from truth seekers in both Japan and China alike, but also earned him the lasting hatred of Japan's discredited nationalist minority. Which launched a number of legal and propaganda campaigns against him prior to his death, in an attempt to smear his name and discredit his testimony on history.
東史郎 (Azuma Shiro) was 93 at the time of his death and passed away in 京都市 (Kyoto city) on 3 January this year, after a long illness.
His death has been described as being a great loss to history, to the search for truth, and to process of reconciliation between China and Japan.
| "His death is a loss for both those in Japan who dared to acknowledge the truth of history and all righteous people" Zhu Chengshan, Curator, Nanjing (Nanking) Memorial Hall, 南京 (Nanjing) |
|
A revolution
At the time of it's publication, the book, written from 東せんせい (Azuma)'s wartime journal, was considered to be a landmark publication because, unlike many previous Japanese accounts - which either noted that atrocities had occurred, but shied away from including details, or were semi-fictional accounts written by discredited revisionists, 東せんせい (Azuma)'s account was not sanitized or 'adjusted' to suit nationalists or educational needs, and it included descriptions of the numerous atrocities that he had either witnessed, or was make a party to.
| "He was a warrior fighting for justice. He was a sincere friend of Chinese people" Jing Shenghong, Professor of History, Nanjing University. |
|
Personal Atonement
In addition to the publication of "My Nanking Platoon", 東せんせい (Azuma) also travelled to 南京 (Nanjing) a total of 7 time since the publication of his book, each time traveling to China in order to offer what apologies he could make, and to show the Chinese people that many Japanese felt deep regret and heartfelt remorse over the war; A move which deeply touched many of the Chinese that he came into contact with.
| "I used to hate the Japanese so much .... But when I saw the old Azuma in tears, bowing and kneeling before us in repentance, I couldn't hold back my tears" Jiang Fugen, Nanking Massacre Survivor |
|
A Rare Honor
In recognition of his actions of atonement, and the work that he did to ensure that the truth about Nanking will never be subsumed by nationalists and revisionists, it was announced that a delegation of three senior Chinese representative were given special leave to attend 東せんせい (Azuma)'s funeral, which was held on Friday. A rare honor indeed, particularly as it comes at a time of heightened tension between China and Japan
| "The three will on behalf of both our government and citizens pay homage to the memory of Mr Azuma," Lin Yi, Department of Foreign Affairs, Nanjing |
|
Hope
In telling his story, 東せんせい (Azuma) provided many Chinese with a square image that many Japanese fell outside the typical Chinese stereotype, promoted by Beijing, of Japanese being ignorant, unrepentant, or both, and showed many in China, for the first time, that there were many in Japan who felt the genuine remorse that Japan's discredited nationalists and revisionists claim does not, and should not, exist. Brining a few rays of hope into an otherwise hopeless situation.
| "I believe there are more people in Japan like Azuma, who are making unremitting efforts to maintain the friendship between the two countries" Qin Gang, Spokesman, Foreign Ministry, China |
|
Nationalist Retribution
Though hailed as a figure of courage and humility by many in China and Japan, in 1993 東せんせい (Azuma) was sued for libel in the Tokyo lower courts by Hashimoto Mituharu - a soldier named by Azuma as having committed war crimes.
In his journal, Azuma had claimed that 橋本 (Hashimoto) had inserted a Chinese civilian into a mailbag, and then immolated them during the occupation, 橋本 (Hashimoto) disputed this; claiming that he had been libeled by 東せんせい (Azuma).
In a much debated case, Japan's lower courts found against 東せんせい (Azuma) - awarding damages to the plaintiff. Despite a lengthy appeal, the verdict was subsequently confirmed by Japan's supreme court.
| I am 86 year old now, but I will fight to death like a young man, but this time is not for the Emperor but for the justice and the history." 東史郎 (Azuma Shiro), regarding the charge of libel made against him, 1998 |
|
Though critics have vocally denounced the verdict as being part of a so-called 'whitewash', by nationalists and the judiciary, to cover up Japan's wartime history, it has been noted, among observers, that, under Japanese law 東せんせい (Azuma), did not posses sufficient evidence to back up the claims of brutality make against 橋本 (Hashimoto) in his journal.
Under internationally accepted norms of law, it is up to the defendant to prove that he did not commit libel, rather than for the plaintiff to prove that he has been libeled. Given this, many consider that 東せんせい (Azuma) would have been unlikely have won even had the case been tried by a neutral third party. With supporters later voicing that it may have been best for 東せんせい (Azuma) to describe the events but not to attribute them.
Other Voices - Japan's Silent Witnesses Speak Out
Although many Japanese veterans are weighted down by the unwaivering shame of their actions, and by the atrocities committed in their name by the wartime government, very few have ever felt able to come out and say so in public in the same way as 東せんせい (Azuma); Instead, choosing to bear their shame in silence, as is traditional in Japan. Under the belief that to publicly parade ones shame is not only a shameful act in itself, but that it is also an insult to those who were wronged.
However, despite a cultural reluctance to open up in public, many veteran's have come forward with their stories, both before and since the Publication of "My Nanking Platoon"; Publishing books of their own, contributing to works on Japanese war crimes by authors such as the famed history writer 本多勝一 (Honda Katsuichi), or by providing documented accounts of the atrocities that they committed or witnessed for exhibits such as the 'Comfort Women' exhibit in the Tokyo 'Women in Peace and War' Museum, which opened to critical acclaim in Tokyo, on 1 August 2005 and contained detailed accounts of Japanese war crimes committed against Chinese women.
Others have even acted more directly to make sure that revisionists and nationalists do not have the monopoly on speaking time, including 筱冢良雄(Shinozuka Yoshio), a veteran of the feared Unit 731; a WMD development corps that is believed to have been the instrument of death to countless thousands of Chinese during Pacific run of WWII.
| "[Unit 731] cruelly murdered human beings, first by caging them and then by killing them." 筱冢良雄(Shinozuka Yoshio), former member of unit 731 |
|
筱冢 (Shinozuka) famously fought to reveal the barbaric acts committed by his unit, even delivering testimony in support of 180 Chinese survives of Unit 731's atrocities, and their families, and was instrumental in a 2002 verdict by Japanese courts which denounced Unit 731 and the atrocities that it committed, as being "clearly inhumane", and the suffering that it caused as being "immense".
| "I was doing what I was told. And I might very well have been killed had I disobeyed. But what we did was so terrible that I should have refused, even if that meant my own death." 筱冢良雄(Shinozuka Yoshio) |
|
筱冢 (Shinozuka) and fellow veterans also contributed to the building of a shrine in 八日市場市 (Yokaichiba City), 千葉県 (Chiba prefecture), dedicated to the memories of Chinese who were murdered during the occupation.
Justice Denied
Ironically, while he served ten years in a Chinese prison camp, as a punishment for his crimes, Japanese courts are currently unable to punish 筱冢 (Shinozuka) and other former members of Unit 731 because of a declaration of amnesty issued by Washington, which granting many of the unit's war criminals their freedom in exchange for the information that they gained while torturing or experimenting on Chinese. A move which effectively denied many Chinese any possibility of gaining justice in Japanese courts, which are legally bound to uphold any proclamations of innocence or amnesty given out by the US after the War.
Information gained from pardoned 731 members later went on to form a substantial component of America's cold war chemical and biological weapons program.
View Comments/Add a Comment (1)
1. Lady Cooper left...
Wednesday, 11 January 2006 1:54 am :: http://ladycooper.co.nr
Azuma Shiro will be missed deeply. He was a rare figure, and it took real
strength to repent and apologize, then to fight for the truth.