Japan Showcases New Evidence from Infamous Germ-Warfare Unit

Tokyo, Dec 13 (NationPress) The former headquarters of Unit 731, a notorious Japanese germ-warfare unit during World War II (WWII), has reopened to the public as of Friday, showcasing a remarkable exhibition that displays evidence of its germ-warfare activities.

Approximately 2,100 items, including archives, historical documents, artifacts, and publications amassed by the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army over recent years, were revealed at the exhibition, as stated by Zhang Yang, the facility's deputy director, according to Xinhua news agency.

Zhang noted that some of the newly presented evidence serves as vital additions to existing historical records and offers significant resources for further investigation into Japanese germ warfare operations during WWII.

Furthermore, the exhibition features a variety of medical journals published in Japan between the 1920s and 1940s, totaling 347 volumes. Collaborative research conducted by the exhibition hall and Heilongjiang International University has identified 42 medical papers written by key members of Unit 731, such as Shiro Ishii and Masaji Kitano.

According to Jin Shicheng, a researcher at the exhibition hall, these wartime medical journals document numerous so-called "research achievements" published by Unit 731 members involving bacterial and viral diseases like anthrax and plague.

"This evidence underscores the interactions and personnel exchanges between Japanese wartime medical universities, military hospitals, and research institutions with Unit 731, revealing the involvement of Japan's medical community in supporting the war of aggression against China," Jin stated.

The exhibition also includes legal documents related to incidents involving chemical weapons left behind by the Japanese army in China, alongside confessions from Japanese war criminals.

Additionally, 616 relics gathered by the facility in recent years, as well as contributions from private collectors, including military sabers, uniforms, medical apparatus, bacterial bombs, and Japanese military medals, are also on display.

Unit 731 was a covert biological and chemical warfare research facility established in Harbin, serving as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare operations in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.

At least 3,000 individuals underwent human experimentation at Unit 731, and over 300,000 people in China were victims of Japan's biological weapons.

Since last winter, the exhibition hall has drawn more than 3.5 million visitors.