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RUSSIAN
ENGLISH |
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| This page is dedicated to one of the problems which are hindering the development of the Russian - Japanese relations. Since the end of the war on the Pacific has passed 58 years. General public is aware of the territorial despute over four of the Southern Kuril islands , but we want to avoid this issue because it is strictly in the hands of the powers-that-be to solve the problem. We would like to restore historical truth and to tell the world about the destiny of the Japanese soldiers who found themselves in the Soviet captivity. With accordance to the article 9 of the Potsdam declaration, after the capitulation of the Japanese army the Japanese military personnel had to be returned home, however they were forcefully brought into concentration camps. This problem is well known in Japan, however the situation is different in Russia. Nevertheless, the Japanese soldiers worked in various parts of the country for many years participating in the rebuilding of the economy, destroyed by the war. Many of them have not returned back home. They have been laid to rest in the unknown graves which are now difficult to find. Among few non-profit organizations focused on improving Russian - Japanese relations there is the Association on cooperation with former Japanese interned, "Vzaimoponimanie" (mutual understanding). |
The primary goal of this organization
is resolving the humanitarian problem concerning burial places of the Japanese
soldiers in Russia. Some people may ask why should we care about the remains of
the Japanese soldiers while thousands of unknown Soviet worriors are burried in
common graves which are often vandalized by criminals? We can tell one
historical fact. After bloody battle for Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese
war general Nogi invited general Stessel and praised bravery of the defenders.
Many russian prisoners of war were taken to various cities on the Shikoku
island. Local population was friendly with them. After signing the peace treaty
they were released and sent back home. The Russian soldiers who died in Japan
have been burried with honour. Even today Russian cemeteries are kept in order.
There is no litter, fresh flowers are always laid on the graves. The Japanese
have achieved a lot owing to their respect to their history, traditions,
ancestors. There is a lot we can learn from them. Maybe the example of how the
Japanese highly respect their and other's ancestors will help us value our own history. |
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| Design: Yuri Shudrak | |||||||||||