Yan'an: As a child, Yokichi Kobayashi was fascinated by Chinese novels about the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, particularly curious about why some Japanese captives later aided the Chinese. He found the answer in his father's story.
According to Namibia Press Agency, over the past 50 years, Yokichi meticulously pieced together the life of his father, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, ultimately documenting it in a biography. This year, marking the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance victory, the 74-year-old authorized a Chinese website to publish the book. Kiyoshi Kobayashi had once explained his choice to fight alongside the Chinese, citing the Communist Party of China's influence in helping him recognize the injustice of Japan's invasion.
The Yan'an Japanese worker and peasant school played a crucial role in reshaping the perspectives of many Japanese captives. Yokichi noted that several captives later joined the anti-fascist fight, becoming a significant force in the World Anti-Fascist War.
The school opened in May 1941 with just 11 students and grew to over 300 by August 1945. Situated on Baota Mountain, it utilized over 30 cave dwellings for various purposes. Today, these well-preserved caves attract visitors from across China.
Li Donglang, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee, explained that the school aimed to transform the mindset of Japanese prisoners of war, highlighting the effectiveness of the CPC's military-political work during the War of Resistance.
Kiyoshi, born into a businessman's family in Osaka, was enlisted in 1938 and sent to China the following year. Captured in 1940 after being wounded in battle, he initially attempted to escape and even considered harming Chinese leaders. However, his time at the Yan'an school changed his perspective, leading him to realize the mutual suffering of the Chinese and Japanese people due to the war.
Display boards at the school site recount this history to visitors. Information shows that students led a regular life with morning exercises, classes, and discussions covering a range of subjects. Kiyoshi's newfound understanding of class dynamics and the oppressive nature of Japan's war efforts marked a significant shift from the propaganda he had learned in Japan.
Data indicates that 53.8 percent of the students were workers, with the rest being farmers, shop assistants, and others. Most were ordinary soldiers or low-ranking officers when captured. Unlike German fascists and Japanese militarists, prisoners of war in Yan'an were treated well, benefiting from initiatives like the Great Production.
Yokichi documented his father's experiences in the biography, recalling activities like making dumplings with fellow students. The vibrant student life included making chess, mahjong, and baseball equipment, with photos showing Japanese students dancing alongside Chinese soldiers.
After graduation, many former Japanese soldiers engaged in anti-war activities, some joining the Eighth Route Army. Kiyoshi himself persuaded Japanese soldiers to surrender after Japan's 1945 surrender. Though he chose to remain in China, many of his peers returned to Japan, with several revisiting the caves in later years.
Takashi Kagawa, one of those who returned in 1979, expressed deep ties to Yan'an, describing it as his second hometown. Nearly 50 members of the Japanese anti-war alliance lost their lives in the fight against Japanese troops, highlighting the CPC's strategic use of the United Front.
Over the decades, the caves underwent preservation efforts, with renovation starting in 2015 and reopening to the public four years later. Yokichi, now leading a Japanese organization promoting friendly relations between Japan and China, hopes to visit the site one day.
He feels a responsibility to continue his father's legacy of promoting peace and understanding between Japan and China, emphasizing the importance of Japan learning from its past. Yokichi believes that a country's self-reflection is crucial for earning global respect.