The following is from an article by nonfiction writer Takashi Hayasaka, published in today's Sankei Shimbun's "Sound Argument," titled "The Achievements of Lieutenant General Higuchi Hidden in History."
It is a must-read not only for the Japanese people but for people worldwide.
One lieutenant general in the army has come into the spotlight in recent years.
In 2020, a memorial hall was opened in Ishikari City, Hokkaido, to commemorate the achievements of Kiichiro Higuchi.
In 2022, a bronze statue of Higuchi was erected at Izanagi Shrine on Awaji Island.
In 5, a monument was erected at Enkakuji Temple in Kamakura.
About 15 years ago, when I conducted interviews in Japan and abroad to write a critical biography of Higuchi, only some people knew of his existence.
I cannot help but feel a sense of a world apart.
Higuchi's tumultuous life was filled with many achievements, but I would like to introduce two historical facts that are particularly noteworthy.
The Rescue of Jewish Refugees
When one mentions "the rescue of Jewish refugees by the Japanese," Chiune Sugihara probably comes to mind.
In 1940, when he was a diplomat stationed in Lithuania, he issued special visas to some 6,000 Jewish refugees fleeing persecution by the Nazis.
But the rescue operation already existed two years earlier.
It was the "Otpor Incident" led by Higuchi.
In March 1938, many Jewish refugees appeared in Otpor, the Soviet Union's border town with Manchuria.
These were people who had evacuated from Europe via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
However, Manchukuo refused to issue them entry visas.
It was due to concern over Japan's growing relations with Germany.
The refugees were stranded in Otpor.
The cold weather was so severe that some people froze to death.
Higuchi, then head of the Harbin Special Mission Agency, was concerned about the situation.
Higuchi had experience stationed in Poland and had long-standing insight into the Jewish problem.
Higuchi instructed the Manchukuo Foreign Affairs Office to issue a special temporary visa from a humanitarian perspective.
In addition to expediting diplomatic procedures, he also gave detailed instructions on arrangements for food and clothing.
Despite anticipated protests from Germany, Higuchi stood by his convictions.
A special train was also prepared to transport the refugees.
Higuchi's request was approved by Yosuke Matsuoka, president of the Manchurian Railway Company.
There was also no charge for the fare.
Ultimately, the refugees were issued "five-day visas to stay in Manchukuo.
The Jewish refugees who received the "Higuchi Visa" passed through Manchukuo and went to the United States and other countries.
Theodor Kaufmann, a Jew who witnessed the rescue, later wrote: "Higuchi was one of the world's most fair and just men.
I consider Higuchi to have been one of the fairest bigwigs in the world and a true friend to the Jewish people."
("The Jews Of Harbin Live on in my mind")
The Battle of Shumshu
Another of Higuchi's achievements was the Battle of Shumshu.
The Soviet Union under the Stalinist regime, which had broken the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact, invaded the Kuril Islands.
Moreover, this was after Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration.
Stalin planned to occupy "the northern half of Hokkaido between Kushiro and Rumoi.
In the early morning of August 18, 1945, Soviet forces pushed into Shumshu, located at the northeastern tip of the Kuril Islands.
At this time, Higuchi was the commander of the Fifth Area Army, whose operation area included Hokkaido and the Kuril Islands.
Although Japan had already accepted defeat as a nation, Higuchi sent the following message to the garrison in Shumshu: "Stand firm, counterattack, and smash the landing force."
Higuchi regarded the battle as a "war of self-defense" and ordered a thorough defensive action.
As a result, fierce fighting unfolded on the island, but the Japanese defenders fought valiantly to hold off the advancing Soviet forces.
With the Japanese forces prevailing, a ceasefire was reached on the 21st.
Stalin had initially planned to overrun Shumshu in one day, but that plan ultimately fell apart.
In response to these developments, U.S. troops entered Hokkaido on the 28th.
Truman told Stalin that he would not recognize the Soviet occupation of Hokkaido.
Japan thus avoided on the verge of becoming a divided nation like Germany or Korea.
Fairness to the Military
After the war, the Soviet Union demanded that the United States "extradite" Higuchi.
Higuchi's predicament was saved by the Jews who had been saved by the "Higuchi Visa."
As a result of lobbying efforts by the World Jewish Association, which has its headquarters in New York, the U.S. rejected the Soviet demand.
In Japan, Higuchi's existence was buried in the shadows of history.
Military figures were lumped together as targets of criticism, making calm and objective discussion difficult.
Only Sugihara became known for rescuing Jewish refugees, maybe because he was a diplomat, while Higuchi was a military officer.
It was bizarre that even the people of Hokkaido knew little about the battle of Shumshu.
It is important to carefully examine the lives of military personnel based on historical facts from an objective standpoint.
In this sense, the recent increase in interest in Higuchi's existence can be viewed as a healthy trend.
Currently, plans are underway to erect a bronze statue of Higuchi in Hokkaido.
2024/7/30 in Onomichi
