Japan’s World War II Orphans Tell Their Inspiring Tales Of Resilience And Recovery

TrendingDecember 21, 2021

The Cycle of Abuse Continues

Those who weren’t able to locate immediate families settled in special camps established by the Japanese government to house returnees. They were all strangers to each other and didn’t have the comforts of daily life, which further aggravated their situation. Some Japanese orphans wanted to return to China, but it was impossible.

By choosing to return to their country of origin, their permanent residencies in China had been canceled. They once again had to face ridicule and abuse from some Japanese citizens, telling them that they didn’t belong. Since 2001, an estimated 2,000 returnees filed suits against the Japanese government, citing the system’s injustice and repatriation failures. It’s simply heartbreaking that 75 years later, Japan’s war orphans are still talking about their pain.