--The straggling, two former soldiers have been living on a remote mountainous area in the Southern Philippines since their Imperial Japanese Army and Japan was defeated at the end of World War II
--They express a STRONG desire to go back to Japan
--They were in a unit that could not get from wherever they were to the groups surrendering to the Allies at the War's conclusion, or were otherwise cut off and left behind, therefore they missed repatriation to Japan.
--There are others that are still alive as well and want to be 'brought in'.
--If they return, this will be the first case of Japanese soldiers returing to Nippon since 31 years ago. If definite identification and identitites can be established, the government of Japan will clear the way for them to return to Japan.
--The two former Japanese Imperial Army soldiers are tentatively identified, as a) Third Division 30th Batallion, 3rd Company (or Division)'s Leader Yasuo Motonaka (83) from Osaka Nishi Ward, and b) Pvt. First Class Susuki Nakauchi (83) from Kochi Prefecture (actual spellings on these to be confirmed)
--The two Japanese men were living in the mountainous area conrolled for the MILF Islamic separatist anti-government guerillas, for 60 years. Recently they moved into an area controlled by the "Sultan" in General Santos City area, and therefore the Philippine Government NBI was able to more easily take them into custody (possession).
--In July of 1944, Motonaka's Third Division landed at Davao, Philippines.
-In April of 1945 they were blasted by American warships. They headed for for the Malabai Valley on the Central Island of Mindanao, and begin guerillas resistance activities.
--There was a small group of survivors. They could not get to the repatriation ships and procedures to surrender and return to Japan, so were left stranded. Recently they were able to move from the Islamic control area but they had feared they would be brought back to Japanese military control and court martialed. Because of their age they do wish to return to Japan.
There are also now rumours of a group of up to 40 Japanese former military on the island in the outback, but all desiring to get out--this remains to be confirmed!
Additional history: The Imperial Army's 30th Division was formed in Pyongyang, Korea in June 1943. They trained in anti-Soviet army activities, but in April 1944, was deployed to the Philippines to attempt to stop the advance of American troops there. The army division consisted of 16 units, and had forced marches whereby up-to 500 kilometers could be covered on foot in one year, until the end of the war. Japanese soldiers killed from that division exceeded 12,000.
Please note the update here.
You all might be interested, too, in the latest on the 2 Japanese found in the Philippines after 60 years.
wow.
I hope they can all get home, and live the remainder of their lives in honor, comfort, and peace.
A stunning report!
Absolutely amazing.
Wow. Great info - thanks!
You guys see this?
Man.
This puts the Cool-Whip survivalists of America to shame.
I'd like to see those guys expressions when they get to THAT website!