寻找“被湮没的”侵华日军细菌战部队历史

Core Viewpoint - The investigation into the activities of the Japanese Imperial Army's Unit 1644, which was involved in biological warfare and human experimentation during the invasion of China, has gained attention through the efforts of the descendant of a former member, Takeue Masayuki, who seeks to uncover the truth about his father's involvement [1][4]. Group 1 - Takeue Masayuki discovered his father's military history and the existence of Unit 1644 after finding old photographs and documents while renovating his home [1][3]. - The unit, officially known as the "Central China Epidemic Prevention and Water Supply Unit," was involved in secretive and inhumane activities, contrary to its public image [1][4]. - Takeue's investigation faced challenges due to the destruction of records by the Japanese military after their defeat, making it difficult to find information about the unit [3][4]. Group 2 - In 2021, Takeue received limited documentation regarding his father's military service, which confirmed his father's association with Unit 1644, despite the Japanese government's reluctance to disclose full records [4][5]. - The Japanese government has historically denied or downplayed the existence and actions of such units, leading to criticism from former members of the military [4][7]. - The recent release of the unit's roster and related documents by the Japanese National Archives marks a significant step in acknowledging the historical reality of these wartime activities [5][7].