In a groundbreaking revelation, 77-year-old Katsutoshi Takegami has opened a hidden chapter of World War II history by releasing personnel rosters and documents that expose the Imperial Japanese Army's secret germ warfare in China.
Earlier this year, Takegami and Japanese researchers worked with the National Archives of Japan to publish the full rosters of Units 1644, 8604, and 8609. These lists, containing names, birth dates, registered domiciles, and military roles, are the first to surface publicly for Unit 1644, a unit long shrouded in secrecy.
Unearthed Evidence of Biological Warfare
During a 2017 renovation of his family warehouse, Takegami discovered photo albums and documents left by his father, who served as a medical orderly in east and central China. Although labeled as 'Epidemic Prevention and Water Supply Units,' these records reveal covert programs for cultivating pathogens and human experiments.
Public data ties Unit 1644 closely to the infamous Unit 731. Together, they engineered and deployed biological weapons that triggered outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and plague across Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces, inflicting devastating losses on local communities.
The Race Against Time to Preserve History
After Japan's surrender, many wartime records were destroyed to hide evidence of these atrocities. The newly released materials are therefore invaluable, filling gaps in historical research and ensuring that the full scope of Unit 1644's actions is documented for future generations.
A Call for Truth and Reconciliation
'I deeply mourn the Chinese people who lost their lives during Japan's invasion,' Takegami said. 'A crime is a crime–we must reflect honestly, and the Japanese government should sincerely apologize to China. I will continue striving to reveal the truth so such tragedies never happen again.'
As these revelations resonate globally, they underscore the power of individual action in pursuing truth. For young citizens, researchers, and changemakers, Takegami's story is a reminder that history matters and that confronting its darkest chapters is essential to building a more just future.
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Descendant of Japanese invader reveals records of germ warfare
cgtn.com
