Latest news with #Japanese-held
6 days ago
- General
Documentary Recounts Postwar Sexual Abuse of Japanese Women
In the final days of World War II, Japan suffered a serious blow when the Soviet Union entered the war against it, in violation of the 1941 Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, invading Japanese-held territory in Northeast China in the early hours of August 9, 1945. At the time, the area was a Japanese puppet state, known as Manchukuo or the 'Empire of Great Manchuria.' The Japanese government had sponsored over 900 groups of 'pioneers' to colonize the region, who numbered 270,000 by the war's end. They were predominantly younger sons of farm families in Japan struggling with poverty in the aftermath of the Great Depression, together with the relatives they took along. The term 'pioneers' is something of a misnomer, because these colonists actually seized land from the original inhabitants. Japan's hidden agenda in this colonization was to create a military outpost in readiness for a Soviet invasion. The Kurokawa Settler Community, whose members moved to what is now China's Songyuan, Jilin Province, in 1941. (© TV Asahi) But when Soviet forces actually invaded, the Kwantung Army (the division of the Imperial Japanese Army operating in Manchukuo) took flight, and the colonists were left to fend for themselves, falling victim to looting and violence. They were not only attacked by the Soviet troops, but also by the local people whose homes and land they had taken. Some colonist villages chose to commit suicide en masse rather than to face the possible alternatives. Some 80,000 colonists died during the invasion, including many who perished from famine or infectious disease. Among the colonists was a group of around 600 who came from the village of Kurokawa (now Shirakawa) in Gifu Prefecture. Amidst the chaos, the Kurokawa settlers chose to surrender their young women in return for food and safe convoy. For two months, 15 unmarried women, aged over 18, were forced to provide 'sexual entertainment' for the Soviet troops. Location of the former entertainment quarters. (© TV Asahi) A year after the war's end, the surviving 451 Kurokawa pioneers were repatriated to Japan. After returning, the women who had been forced to provide 'sexual entertainment' were subjected to slander and could no longer face living in the village. Some moved away, concealed their past, and married, while others remained single for their entire lives. After the war, those who were aware of this shameful episode kept silent. It was not until almost 70 years later that some of the victims began to speak out. Breaking the Silence The first women who broke their silence were Yasue Yoshiko and Satō Harue. In November 2013, they first spoke publicly about their ordeals at regular talks held at the Manchukuo Settler Peace Memorial Hall in the village of Achi, Nagano Prefecture. Yasue Yoshiko, who recounted the reality of 'sexual entertainment' at the Manchukuo Settler Peace Memorial Hall (Achi, Nagano). (© TV Asahi) Yasue, the eldest of the women, passed away in 2016. Satō told her story in a documentary that aired on NHK in 2017, causing shockwaves. Thereafter, she was often interviewed by reporters, particularly from regional newspapers. In August 2018, she spoke at a testimonial meeting held at Gifu's municipal hall, which received high-profile coverage in the daily Asahi Shimbun . Satō Harue in 2019. (© TV Asahi) Matsubara Fumie, director of the documentary film Kurokawa no onnatachi (The Women of Kurokawa), says she was deeply moved when she read the article and saw a photo of Satō, then aged 93: 'She drew her lips into a thin line. I sensed strong determination and conviction in her expression. I grew curious about what kind of person she was and wanted to speak to her myself.' Matsubara Fumie, director of the documentary film Kurokawa no onnatachi . (© ) Three months later, Matsubara had the opportunity to interview Harue. In November 2018, a ceremony was staged to unveil an epitaph for the women erected in the grounds of a shrine in Kurokawa to record the truth about the victims. Prior to this, there was only a statue of Jizō (a Buddhist bodhisattva held to be a protector of children), simply labeled as a 'Monument to the Maidens,' alongside a cenotaph and other memorials. Paid for through donations, it was installed in 1982 to remember the victims, but without any accompanying explanation, out of 'respect' for their past suffering. Thirty-six years later, the silence was broken, and an explanation was finally placed alongside. An epitaph (right) installed alongside the 'Monument to the Maidens' in November 2018. (© TV Asahi) Accurately Conveying Historical Fact The unveiling of the epitaph was covered briefly on national network news. Matsubara, who directed the story, continued to gather information after this episode, interviewing other former Kurokawa Settler Community members to learn more about the background and circumstances of the 'sexual entertainment.' The interviews became the basis for a television documentary, broadcast in November 2019, and of Matsubara's new film. 'Above all, I wanted to depict the bravery of these women,' she recalls. 'Satō Harue faced up to her past experiences and spoke on camera, using her real name. Her courage, determination and very way of being deeply moved me. I wanted to share what she had achieved and the story she has left us with as many people as possible.' Another key purpose was to convey historical fact. Satō was a victim of cruel sexual violence, and although she had sacrificed greatly to protect the village, for decades, people acted as if nothing had happened. Fujii Hiroyuki, thefourth chairperson of the Settler Community Survivors Society, felt heavily burdened by this, and went to great efforts to prepare the epitaph. His father had been employed to call in the women when they were required to entertain the troops. Fujii Hiroyuki, chair of the Settler Community Survivors Society, spent many months preparing the text of the epitaph. (© TV Asahi) According to Fujii, 'The younger generation make atonement for the sins of their parents' generation. We must look closely at the mistakes they made and record this history, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I feel solace in having achieved this.' Reclaiming Their Dignity The COVID-19 pandemic took hold shortly after the television documentary was aired, making it difficult to stay in touch with the people of Kurokawa. But after restrictions were eased, Fujii received surprising news. In October 2023, Yasue Reiko, one of the three surviving victims, contacted him to say she would meet with him. Matsubara had managed to arrange an interview with Yasue in 2019, but at the time it was under the condition of maintaining her anonymity. But she had refused to return to Kurokawa and did not attend the epitaph unveiling. Yasue Reiko, who was interviewed in 2019 on the condition of anonymity. (© TV Asahi) Fujii had long wanted to apologize to Yasue in person, but when he reached out to her, she had previously cited health issues and other justifications for being unable to meet. Things changed eventually, though, recalls Matsubara. 'I accompanied Fujii when he went to meet Reiko and I was surprised at how different it was from four years earlier—her manner of speaking had totally changed. She smiled and had a much gentler facial expression—she even joked with us.' Yasue Reiko appeared relaxed when she met with Fujii. (© TV Asahi) Her transformation was spurred by a letter she received from a grandchild who had learned of her grandfather's past in a book. Matsubara says: 'Reiko had never spoken of her experience with her family, and had suffered in silence. But after learning that her granddaughter understood her pain and was proud of her, she found herself able to smile again. It is easy to speak of the return of dignity, but it can be difficult to actually realize this in society. For me, it was a valuable opportunity to witness this myself.' A lecture at the Manchukuo Settler Peace Memorial Hall in 2013. Yasue Yoshiko, seated, is second from left. (© TV Asahi) The Culmination of a Magnificent Life There is no doubt that Yasue Reiko found the strength to speak with dignity thanks to Yasue Yoshiko and Satō Harue. In January 2024, Satō passed away, aged 99. Her final moments are captured in the film. As Harue draws her final breaths, Yasue Kikumi, who had been close to her since their time in Manchuria, spoke to her. The younger Kikumi was fortunately spared the sexual violence suffered by the other women, having been tasked with preparing the bathing area of the entertainment quarters. More than anybody, she was conscious of the sacrifice made by the older girls. She always held a deep sense of respect and appreciation for them. The camera caught Harue's final moments as she was soothed by these words. There has never been such a touching moment captured on film. Yasue Kikumi's affection for Satō Harue, at right, is touching. (© TV Asahi) The women's courage, transmission of historical truth, and recovery of dignity—Matsubara hoped to capture these aspects for posterity through her film. She stresses the strong responsibility she felt. For her, the biggest motivation was her encounter with Harue and being with her in her final moments. 'Harue prevented the women's terrible experience simply being buried in the shadows of history. It was not a matter of feeling resentment, criticizing, and opening up disputes, but of having regard for one other's stories. This has enabled the next generation to apologize. This allowed Harue to live for almost a century. It was more than enough for one human to bear. The issues of history and gender are certainly crucial, but respect for an individual and their life is also important.' Satō Harue with film director Matsubara. (© TV Asahi) Film Information Official website: Trailer (Japanese) (Originally published in Japanese. Banner photo: A scene from the film Kurokawa no onnatachi . Satō Harue [front row, far right] among the 15 young women forced to provide 'sexual entertainment' to Soviet troops. © TV Asahi.)
Boston Globe
26-04-2025
- Boston Globe
Wilmington marine killed in World War II to be laid to rest
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency His body was returned with a police escort to Wilmington on Thursday, with several residents lining the street in respect, according to video broadcast by WCVB-TV. A public wake will be held on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon at Nichols Funeral Home in Wilmington. A service will follow at noon. He will be interred with military honors in the family lot at Wildwood Cemetery at 12:30 p.m., according to a Edwinson was born in Lowell and was the oldest of six children. His family later moved to Wilmington, where he graduated from high school in 1938. Advertisement He first worked as a stonemason with his father, before enlisting in the Marines in 1940. He was serving on Samoa in 1942, undertaking jungle warfare training, when his platoon was called up as reinforcements for the beleaguered 1st Marine Division. Edwinson's platoon was patrolling along a Japanese-held roadway in the jungle foothills when the point unit was ambushed by Japanese machine gun fire, his obituary said. Edwinson and nine others were killed in the battle, and another two dozen were wounded. Advertisement He was buried on a hill alongside other members of his unit. Searches for the remains of the fallen Marines were conducted, but Edwinson was declared non-recoverable in 1950, according to the agency. The government conducted searches throughout the years and in early 2016 a recovery team unearthed military-issued artifacts and a dog tag that was consistent with another missing Marine. Additional remains were unearthed. Edwinson's remains were positively identified on Sept. 11, 2024, the agency said. Adam Sennott can be reached at
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
History: What is Palm Beach County's oldest structure? How did Military Trail get its name?
Eliot Kleinberg, a retired reporter from The Palm Beach Post and a historian, wrote more than 1,000 history columns for The Palm Beach Post published under the name "Post Times." The column title refers to the "Palm Beach Evening Times," sister publication of "The Palm Beach Post," which was founded in September 1922. "The Post" debuted in January 1916. They merged in May 1987, and the afternoon edition featured both mastheads. Casino magnate E.R. Bradley bought the papers in February 1934 and the Sunday edition was called the "Palm Beach Post-Times." More: How the Ashley gang, who robbed banks and killed law officers, met their bloody end Here are some of the historical facts and trivia that Kleinberg learned over more than two decades of writing. We thought we'd share a few with you, with more coming in the future. It really was a military trail. During the Second Seminole War, the longest and costliest of the Native American wars and one of the most unpopular in U.S. history, Maj. William Lauderdale was leading troops of Tennessee Volunteers. After the battles of Okeechobee in December 1837 and the battles of Lockahatchee (Loxahatchee), Jan. 15 and Jan. 24, 1838, soldiers went on to build Fort Jupiter. They carved the north-south trail to supply the fort. It's accepted as gospel by many. But the evidence all but dismisses it. The shantytown known as the Styx sprang up in Palm Beach in the 1890s for more than 2,000 Black workers who built Henry Flagler's nearby hotels. The story is that Flagler was eager to oust the residents so he could develop the land. He hired a circus to set up across the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach, gave Black residents free passes, and while they enjoyed the show, burned their homes down. But Flagler didn't own the land. The Bradley brothers, one of whom was the famous casino owner E.R., did, as a member of a pioneer family pointed out to The Post in 1994. The workers were squatters and could be evicted at any time. A former resident told Kleinberg before she died that she didn't remember any fire. Post Time: Pioneer's photos give glimpse of Palm Beach's mysterious Styx It originally was Boca de los Ratones — "mouth of the mice." In this case the translation referred to an inlet — a mouth — full of mice. The Boca Raton Historical Society says there was, in fact, an inlet with sharp rocks that gnawed the ropes of ships rocking at anchor along the shore. But the inlet was not in southern Palm Beach County. It was at Miami Beach. Map makers inadvertently placed it where it is now. Technically, it's a brick oil house, finished in January 1860, that stands alongside the Jupiter Lighthouse. The lighthouse wasn't officially considered completed until the first lighting on July 10, 1860. Here are some of Kleinberg's most memorable history stories: Tiny Sowell, the beloved Palm Beach High graduate, Class of 1941, had died at 21 in a foxhole on the Japanese-held island of Saipan on July 7, 1944. His remains had laid there for years before authorities could return. When they couldn't make a positive identification, he was buried in a numbered grave in Hawaii for seven decades. In 2015, the military took a DNA swab from his nephew and made a match. And in 2017, he was returned to West Palm Beach and buried the day before Veterans Day, with full military honors. Jeff Garten, ride captain of the Patriot Guard, a veterans group that provides motorcycle escorts, saluted and told nephew Lewis Sowell Jr.: "Soldiers don't fear dying. They fear being forgotten." For decades, people talking about what probably is West Palm Beach's oldest home repeated the story — that the original owner, British expatriate Richard Hone, was shot Oct. 20, 1902, by a mystery gunman on horseback who melted into the dark and got away with murder. The Post had gone with that version, and since the paper hadn't started until 1916, there was no way to check archives. But there was another way to check the facts. We got into editions of the Weekly Lake Worth News and the Tropical Sun, both predecessors to The Post, which heavily covered the slaying. It turns out one of Hone's employees was caught within days, confessed to shooting him through a window — though not from horseback — and eventually was hanged. "Those articles, at least those in Palm Beach Post archives," we wrote at the time, "now will have to be accompanied by what likely will be the most belated correction in the newspaper's history: 116 years." Eliot Kleinberg is a noted historian and former reporter for The Palm Beach Post. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County history: Oldest structure, Military Trail's name
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia officials honor late WWII Iwo Jima vet with ceremonial wreath
On Friday, the city of Columbia, along with military representatives and community members, gathered to honor John Harlan Willis, a Medal of Honor recipient, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the John Harlan Willis Bridge Memorial on Highway 31. This event marked the 80th anniversary of his ultimate sacrifice during the Battle of Iwo Jima, where Willis demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness, paying the highest price to help save his fellow Marines. John Harlan Willis was born and raised in Columbia, Tennessee. He enlisted in the United States Navy on November 5, 1940. On Feb. 19, 1945, Harlan landed with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines on Iwo Jima. He participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima as a rifle company platoon corpsman and, on Feb. 28, while aiding fallen Marines during a fierce action near Japanese-held Hill 362, was wounded by shrapnel and ordered back to the battle-aid station. Disregarding his injuries, Willis returned to the battle area to resume casualty assistance. He was treating a wounded Marine when the enemy attacked his position with hand grenades. After throwing eight grenades back at the enemy, he was killed when a ninth grenade exploded in his hand. For his heroic actions that day during the battle, Willis was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. 'John Harlan Willis is a true American hero whose bravery on the battlefield inspires all Columbians," Mayor Chaz Molder said. "On this 80th anniversary of his ultimate sacrifice, dying while serving our country in World War II during the Battle of Iwo Jima, we gather to honor his memory and ensure that future generations never forget the courage and selflessness that defined him and his generation. Columbia and Maury County are proud to call him one of our own.' Friday's ceremony was well attended by local officials, military representatives, including retired U.S. Army Colonel Ashley Brown, who participated in the tribute. The colors were presented by American Legion Post 170, and attendees gathered to reflect on the legacy of courage and selflessness that John Harlan Willis left behind. 'It's important that we not only honor our veterans but ensure their sacrifices are remembered," City Manager Tony Massey said. "John Harlan Willis' heroic actions represent the very best of what it means to serve. His courage is a beacon of strength for our community, and today we stand united in remembering his incredible legacy. He was a true patriot.' The event concluded with a moment of silence as a wreath was placed at the John Harlan Willis Bridge Memorial, marking the 80th anniversary of his death and reaffirming the city's commitment to preserving the memory of its fallen heroes. Jay Powell is a reporter at The Daily Herald. This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia officials honor late WWII Iwo Jima vet with ceremonial wreath
