Newly uncovered evidence documenting Japan's World War II-era germ warfare experiments has reignited calls for historical accountability, as China urges its neighbor to confront unresolved wartime legacies. The Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crime Committed by Unit 731 in Harbin released archival documents, photographs, and video footage this month, shedding light on one of history's darkest chapters in biological warfare research.
China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated Thursday that Japan must "seriously reflect on its history of aggression" and take responsibility for crimes committed by Unit 731 – the Imperial Japanese Army's covert biological warfare division. The materials reportedly detail human experimentation conducted on prisoners between 1935 and 1945 in occupied Northeast China.
The disclosure comes amid ongoing diplomatic sensitivities surrounding wartime history in East Asia. Analysts suggest the timing coincides with growing regional security debates, as governments balance historical reconciliation with contemporary strategic interests.
While Japan has previously acknowledged Unit 731's existence, survivors and historians continue advocating for fuller disclosure of wartime records. The Harbin exhibition hall serves as a permanent memorial at the site of the former Unit 731 headquarters, attracting researchers and international visitors seeking to understand this complex historical legacy.
