In brief
A Japanese civil‑society delegation visited former Unit 731 sites in northeast China, confronted the evidence of biological warfare crimes, and urged Japan to acknowledge responsibility. The delegation condemned historical revisionism and right‑wing remarks by Japanese politicians.
A group of Japanese scholars, journalists, lawyers, and civic activists from the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement visited Unit 731 memorial sites in Heilongjiang Province, China, in late October 2026. The delegation walked through an exhibition hall that displays evidence of the biological warfare division’s war crimes during World War II and stopped by former sites of the unit.
During the tour, delegation members exchanged views with Chinese experts and scholars. Shigenori Kanehira, a veteran media professional, said that seeing the crime scenes in person had shocked him more than reading about them. Mitsuhisa Fukutomi, a university professor, added that he felt immense shame and sorrow after witnessing the evidence firsthand.
Takakage Fujita, the head of the delegation, spoke at a symposium with experts from the exhibition hall. He strongly condemned the growing tide of historical revisionism and right‑wing rhetoric in Japan. They noted that some Japanese politicians have made “absurd” comments in attempts to stir regional conflict.
Takakage Fujita, head of the delegation, said:
"The Japanese army’s act of injecting bacteria into living people can only be described as ‘demonic.’ As a Japanese, I sincerely apologize to the Chinese people who perished in the disaster."
The delegation emphasized that the truth of Unit 731’s crimes cannot be buried. Decades of archaeological excavation and academic verification have established an indelible chain of criminal evidence, according to the delegation. They urged Japan to learn from history, to acknowledge responsibility, and to strengthen anti‑war sentiment in both countries.
