Did you know all evil stories about Unit731 are testimonies only? No physical evidence for killing innocent people with evil experiments but Only fake/misrepresented/misleading photos appearing in even authentic books like Amazon or MIT. Even if any from the documents, that is about using the death row convicts for the pathological studies or volunteers (soldier/students/nurses/coolies) for a medical purpose. These medical studies were willingly donated by doctors to Japanese government or academic as a contribution for a medical research before/after the WW2 and nothing like destroying the evidence.
The truth is Japanese government was saving Chinese and Manchus in China with a medical care and vaccination, which is called “対支防疫事業(Tai shi bou eki ji gyou)” (Epidemic Prevention and Control Initiatives in China) with the organizations such as “同仁会 (Dou jin kai)”. Their activities and government budget record are archived as you can see here. Japan built hospitals in Manchuria where its population grew by Chinese immigrants since the time when it was still Japanese concession. See Manchoukuo.
Unit731 is called “防疫給水部 / Plague Prevention and purified water supply unit” and was built in 1933 with its early form dealing with a naturally born pandemic in China where pandemic has occurred frequently such as Manchurian plague. Later as a reflection of facing Soviet and Republic of China bio attack deliberately spreading pandemic, unit731 became a counter measure to match against Soviet biological warfare technology including the investigation of Soviet activity. Contrary to the prevailed demonizing story, Unit 731 had done the excellent job to protect Japan and Manchoukuo such as developing a mobile water purification vehicle to provide bacteria free clean water to save the soldiers and investigated a list of all Soviet biology research labs, and analyzed how the geological features effect the spread of pandemic.
When Japan lost a war, Soviet found out that the captured unit731 members investigated Soviet biological warfare, and they urged the US to hand over its leader Dr. Shiro Ishii who presumably knew a lot about Soviet activity. On 15th Jan in 1947, the secret meeting among the US and Soviet was held in Tokyo. The US refused to hand over Dr.Ishii to Soviet. Today, we are told that the US immunized Ishii Shiro for the exchange of valuable info he had, but we don't know exactly what info Ishii shared with the US, which might not be just a medical info but rather Soviet info which the US urgently needed facing a future enemy after WW2. As shown below, there were many interrogations and reports about unit731. Oddly after the secret meeting with the US and Soviet, Japanese testimonies about human experiment started to appear while unit731 stopped talking about Soviet biological warfare.
The timeline of the US and Soviet investigation about unit731
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1945, Nov, Dec “Sanders report” No mention of human experiment Mention about Soviet use of biological weapons |
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1946, June, “Arvo T. Thompson report” No mention of human experiment |
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| 1947, 15th Jan, the secret meeting with the US and Soviet in Tokyo | |
| 1947, 20th/24th June “Norbert H. Fell report” | interrogation |
| 1947, Dec “Edwin V. Hill report” | |
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1949 Dec, 25th - 30th Khabarovsk Trial (the unfair solo Soviet trial with no attorney but death threat) |
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| 2006, IWG report | |
| 2007, IWG final report | |
Soviet couldn't get Ishii at their own hand. Therefore Soviet interrogated the captured unit731 members , then in 1949 put them on Khabarovsk trial by Soviet only where no attorney was provided but a death threat. At trial, Japanese testified killing 3000 people with experiment, which we don't know if it is truthful or not since no physical evidence or photos that Japan committed such an evil act. It was misinformed and demonized with anti-Japanese propaganda. And also Japanese testimonies by the former detainees until 1956 in Fushun War Criminals Camp (撫順戦犯収容所) by Republic Of China(ROC) , generally referred to as Chyuu Ki Ren (中帰連) , are not reliable either, since Soviet and Republic of China were the ones who had attacked Japan with biological weapons which was the reason why unit731 became what it was. If you look at Japanese official documents and newspapers back then, people talked about the biological warfare by Soviet/Republic of China, which you barely hear from unit731 evil story.
Surprisingly some of demonizing unit731 fake stories originally came from Japanese side. In 80's Japanese novelist, Seiichi Morimura wrote the unit731 article in Japanese communist party magazine misusing irrelevant Plague prevention photos, and wrote the novel, “The Devil's Gluttony ” , which became a best seller, selling 5500K books. Then the uncertain testimonies by the former unit731 members, some of which are not verified, started to appear on journals or newspapers but with no physical back up evidence.
(Below) 2007, IWG final report the US couldn't find any compelling evidence of Japanese war crimes as a propaganda says.
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These following statements are true, and all resources to support them are shown on this page.
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1. Unit 731 is a plague pandemic prevention unit and also the defense/counter attack to Soviet/Republic Of China Biological Warfare. →Japan did what every nation would do. 1) Developing the treatment of patients from naturally born or deliberate pandemic by pathological studies or frostbite, and the technology for providing a bacteria free water. 2) Develop the defense technology to match against Soviet and Republic of China biological warfare attacking Japan. (The research is not illegal) and spying/investigation Soviet biological warfare. 2. Japanese/US documents show it was Soviet and Republic of China who attacked Japan with biological warfare. There is no legitimate evidence that Japan used biological weapons. Even if Japan did, it would be later than 1939 the Soviet and China did to Japan. → Japanese military official documents and newspapers about Chinese biowarfare and Soviet biowarfare against Japan. → US documents and newspapers about Soviet biowarfare against Japan. →The unreliable testimonies without any physical evidence supports. The only other sources are unofficial note. And even if they were truthful, they are after 1939 Soviet/China attacked Japanese with biological warfare, which would be only retaliatory. 3. Testimonies only, and there is no legitimate physical evidence such as photos that proves Japanese coerced innocent people into the experiment. →There is no such photo proving Japanese evil biological activities. The remained Unit731 head quarter building was used as high school until 1980's. The sources the current studies or books about the evil act of unit731 come from testimonies. There were indeed many pathological experiments using Japanese soldiers, students, nurses, coolies. But they are not like abducting innocent people and killed them in the experiment. The worst case possible is using death row convicts before execution as the US did. 4. Japan saved Han Chinese and Manchus from a pandemic in China and Manchuria → Japan built hospitals in Manchoukuo. As a national project, Japanese government supported “対支防疫事業" (Tai shi bou eki ji gyou) , Plague Prevention in China Project and supported the organizations such as “同仁会” (Dou jin kai).
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(Below) True photo. The remained Unit731 head quarter building was used as high school until 1980's.
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You can download the authentic survived unit731 documents from Japan Center for Asian Historical Records website.
¶ All demonizing unit731 photos are fake or misrepresented
Oh, you wish there was just a single handy photo to prove to the world Japan was an evil! In your dream, no such thing.
(Below) These photos you often see about unit 731 are shown in Anti-Japanese Chinese site. It explains the originals of these as Plague prevention, 防疫, saving Chinese people photo although the site cites sarcastically. No proof that this is about killing innocent people.
Click here to get the archived source
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(Below) This photo with a doctor performing an autopsy on female body has nothing to do with unit731 or Shiro Ishii. This is one of Japanese victims killed by Chinese at Jinan Incident in 1928.
(Below) There are more mispresented photos like Manchurian plague photos. Please referrer to the twitter thread below.
https://x.com/head_bulb/status/1244295796020768776
¶ Unit731 as a protection from natural/biological hazards
Unit731 “防疫給水部 (Plague Prevention and purified water supply unit)” had done all kind of works to protect soldiers and people from natural hazards such as disease and frostbite.
¶ Producing a Vaccination
What is a vaccination saving people from disease? It is about infecting people intentionally with a weakened viruses or less harmful resemble viruses so that people can build their own immune defense system in their bodies. Unit 731 had produced the different kinds of vaccinations to protect soldiers and civilians.
(Below) Unit731 produced the vaccination for soldiers.
Source: Japanese history archive website
¶ Checking and purifying a water
In China where a water might be contaminated with virus and not drinkable, it was critical to offer Japanese soldiers a purified water wherever they were in China.
At Noborito museum, Water Filter Model developed by Dr.Ishii is exhibited.
Noborito museum https://www.meiji.ac.jp/noborito/about/index.html
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九八式衛生濾水機丙 実物大模型（実物は彰古館所蔵） 731部隊部隊長の石井四郎は、大正時代、すでに民間で開発されていた濾過筒に目をつけ、軍用として採用、石井式濾水機の開発に成功した。九八式は石井式の実用性を高めたタイプの濾水機で、ガラスケースに展示されている、濾過筒（長さ330mm）を中に６本設置し使用した。ハンドルで、中のブラシと、カートリッジの役割をする濾過筒を同時に回転させ、表面を削ることで、濾過筒を繰り返し使用できるようにしたことが、石井式の最大の特徴であり、この九八式も、同特徴を受け継ぐ。当時、他国製のものに比べて細菌の濾過性能は格段に高かった。 Type 98 Sanitary Water Filter Model C: Full-Scale Model (The actual item is housed at the Shoko Museum) Shiro Ishii, commander of Unit 731, took notice of a filtration cylinder that had already been developed in the private sector during the Taisho era, adopted it for military use, and succeeded in developing the Ishii-type water filter. The Type 98 is a version of the Ishii-type filter designed for greater practicality; it was used with six filtration cylinders (330 mm in length) installed inside the glass case on display. The most distinctive feature of the Ishii-type filter was that a handle simultaneously rotated the internal brush and the filter tubes—which served as cartridges—scraping their surfaces to allow for repeated use. This Type 98 model also inherits this feature. At the time, its bacterial filtration performance was significantly higher than that of filters manufactured in other countries.  |
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衛生隊の水質検査。給水班が来た。支那大陸は、どこへ行っても水が悪い。兵隊は故郷の清らかな水をいくたびか思ひ起こす。乾燥菜、乾燥馬鈴薯、乾燥人参、それに粉味噌を使って汁をつくる。兵隊はつくづく、新鮮な野菜を食いたひと思ふ。 (Video) The purified water supply team checking a water in China.  |
| [English Translation] The Sanitation Unit conducted a water quality inspection. The purified water supply team arrived. No matter where you go on the Chinese mainland, the water is bad. The Japanese soldiers often think of the clear water back home. They make soup using dried vegetables, dried potatoes, dried carrots, and powdered miso. The soldiers long deeply for fresh vegetables. |
¶ Research for Frostbite
Unit731 office is located in Manchuria, the cold northern part of China where soldiers suffered from frostbite. Frostbite is a serious injury caused by exposure to extreme cold, where skin and underlying tissues—such as fingers, toes, nose, and ears—actually freeze. Amputation is required when the tissue has died, a condition known as necrosis or gangrene.
Hisato Yoshimura (吉村寿人), unit731 member, investigated the cause of frostbite and researched the tolerance variance to cold among different ethnic groups. He used the individuals to check with point test experiment(putting a finger into a cold water measuring )
He
It occurs when temperatures drop below freezing (0°C/32°F) and the body reduces blood flow to the extremities to protect the core, leaving those areas vulnerable to tissue damage.
Pathological study to develop the treatment and research
¶ Japanese/US documents show it was Soviet and Republic of China who attacked Japan with biological warfare.
First, let me show resources showing it is Soviet that had actively engaged in Biological warfare and developing its technology. That is partially the reason why unit731 was formed and investigated their technology and prepared a defense.
¶ Soviet Biological warfare
Russell L Blaylock
CIA
https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90-00965R000605770002-8.pdf
https://nonproliferation.org/wp-content/uploads/cns-archive/antiplague/zilinskas.pdf…
USSR
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/8342214/1/5
¶ Soviet attacked Japan with Biological warfare
These official Japanese military and unit731 documents tell you that they were dealing with Soviet bio-attack against Japan.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-j/C13021545600
「ソ」の細菌使用に関する件 ソ Soviet 細菌 Virus 使用 Usage 昭和12年 1937
Soviet bacteriological group sprayed cholera germ to Japanese troops, and succeeded in infecting many of them.
Unit731 Dr. Ishii's investigation about Soviet Geography
(Below) Japanese Asahi Newspaper on 12th July in 1939, reporting Soviet Bio bomb was dropped at Khalkh River (North border of Manchoukuo)
(Below) This is after WW2 article, but it tells Soviet biological warfare against Japan.
Dr.Ishii investigated all Soviet bio labs including the one in Ukraine.
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-j/C13021545000
「極東「ソ」領北部地区作戦に対する地誌的並同衛生的着眼事項
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-j/C13021545300
対「ソ」諜報竝防諜に関する事項
https://www.jacar.archives.go.jp/das/image-j/C13021546000
¶ Republic of China attacked Japan with Biological warfare
See more for the list of Chinese KMT biological warfare.
(Below) Chinese biological warfare research was first reported as early as in 1937 by Japanese Asahi newspaper.
(Below) Interestingly, Japanese newspaper says Chinese communist was attacking Chinese KMT with biological weapons.
¶ Japan saved Han Chinese and Manchus from a pandemic in China and Manchuria
Japan fought against KMT dictator Chiang kai-shek, who was not even chosen democratically by ordinary Chinese people. Japan was not fighting against Chinese people at 2nd Sino-Japanese war. Japanese government actually has saved Chinese people from Plague pandemic or disease by offering hospitals and vaccination by it military and medical organization called, Doujin-kai 同仁会 in entire China, which is archived as below.
¶ How Manchuria and Japan saved people from Pandemic
(Below) Japan built hospitals in Manchoukuo.
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After Mukden Incident in 1931, Japanese came and cleaned up Cholera pandemic city, made people take vaccination, and made it peaceful with security.
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満洲日日新聞 1940年5月7日 Manchuria Daily News, May 7, 1940 spreading the awareness of coming Pandemic on summer.  |
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1940年（昭和15年）10月30日 東京 朝刊 3ページ , 5段 , 記事 満州国追加予算 ペスト臨時防疫費として百万圓が計上されてゐる。 October 30, 1940 (Showa 15) Tokyo Morning Edition, Page 3, 5 columns, Article Manchukuo Supplementary Budget: One million yen has been allocated for emergency plague prevention measures.  |
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1941年（昭和16年）05月29日 東京 朝刊 2ページ , 9段 , 記事 満州国政府四平省新設 ペスト防疫対策拡充計画 May 29, 1941 (Showa 16) Tokyo Morning Edition, Page 2, 9 columns, Article Manchukuo Government Establishes New Siping Province; Plans to Expand Plague Prevention Measures  |
¶ How Japan saved Chinese people from Pandemic
You can search by your own with a keyword 対支防疫事業 (Epidemic Prevention Initiatives in China). It is all Japanese, but if you can read Chinese letters, you can understand what they are all about.
Click here to see Search result of 対支防疫事業
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（昭和十三年十月三日） 一 金拾五萬弐千圓 皇軍占領地域ニ於ケル支那難民ニ対スル医療救護事業費補助ニ要スル経費 1. 152,000 yen Expenses required for subsidies for medical relief projects for Chinese refugees in areas occupied by the Imperial Army (October 3, 1938) Note: 152,000 yen in 1938 is like US $6290000  |
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(昭和十三年七月二十日) 我ガ医療救護事業ノ目的ハ、醫療機関ヲ悉ク失ヒ、悪疫病苦ノ闘ニ右往左往スル支那人民ヲ施療救護スルト共ニ (July 20, 1938) The purpose of our medical relief efforts is to provide medical treatment and relief to the Chinese people, who have lost all their medical facilities and are struggling to cope with the ravages of a deadly epidemic, …  |
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昭和１４年７月～昭和１４年７月 第六ノ如シ 一一、経理 前月ニ引続キ順調良好ニシテ、七月十九日聯隊経理検査実施セラレ、異常ナク受検ス。本月二十七日師団経理検査行ハレ、師団経理部長末遷羔無ク、受検ス。 一二、衛生 一、前月ニ引続キ夏季防疫ニ重点ヲ置キ、「コレラ」予防接種身体検査衛生講話ヲ実施シ、尚、防疫材料ヲ各分屯隊毎ニ配給ス。其他、支那民衆ニ対シ、種痘及施療ヲ実施ス。其ノ詳細、次ノ如シ 。 １、「コレラ」予防接種身体検査及衛生講話ノ状況 (表)月日 分屯地別 予防接種 身体検査 衛生講話 七月十日 撫寧 第二回 寧者共十二名入院三名入室二名練兵休一名就業一名 夏季ニ於ケル、個人衛生。 七月十七日 羅家屯 第一回 下士官一名入室 夏季ニ於ケル個人衛生。 七月十八日 建昌営 第二回 異常者ナシ 右同  |
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Activity of Dou Jin Kai 同仁会 in China offering Chinese people free vaccinations and treatments, which is funded by Japanese government/military.  |
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A national project, Plague Prevention in China Project “対支防疫事業" (Tai shi bou eki ji gyou)
The policy of Plague Prevention in North China Project. It says this project is for Japanese soldiers, Japanese in China, and Chinese in China.
Japanese Asahi newspaper on 5th January 1941
The medical organization “同仁会” (Dou jin kai) which provided a medical care to all over China is supported by Japanese government.
