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Professor Nancy
IJA
04 September 2022
The Horrors of the Imperial Japanese Army: Unraveling a Dark Chapter in History
Introduction
The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) stands as a grim reminder of the atrocities committed during
World War II. This essay aims to shed light on the horrors perpetrated by the IJA during its
military campaigns, particularly in Asia, and the indelible scars it left on the victims and their
countries. It is essential to examine this dark chapter in history to ensure that such heinous acts
are never repeated and to honor the memory of those who suffered under the hands of the
Imperial Japanese Army.
The Nanking Massacre
One of the most infamous atrocities committed by the IJA was the Nanking Massacre, also
known as the Rape of Nanking, which occurred in December 1937. After capturing the Chinese
city of Nanking, the IJA unleashed an unprecedented wave of violence against the civilian
population and surrendered Chinese soldiers. Mass killings, summary executions, and
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widespread rape and looting ensued, resulting in an estimated 300,000 civilian deaths and
countless lives shattered.
Unit 731 and Biological Warfare
Unit 731, a covert biological warfare research unit of the IJA, conducted gruesome human
experimentation during World War II. Located in Pingfan, China, the unit subjected thousands of
Chinese, Korean, and other prisoners of war to horrific experiments without consent, aiming to
develop biological and chemical weapons. These experiments included exposure to diseases,
vivisection, frostbite testing, and other unspeakable atrocities. The legacy of Unit 731 remains a
haunting reminder of the depths of human cruelty.
Comfort Women System
The IJA established a system of "comfort women," a euphemism for sexual slavery, during its
occupation of various Asian countries. Tens of thousands of young women from Korea, China,
the Philippines, and other nations were forcibly taken and subjected to sexual exploitation by
Japanese soldiers in military brothels. The physical and psychological trauma endured by these
women and the shame they carried haunted them for the rest of their lives. It took decades for the
Japanese government to acknowledge and apologize for this abhorrent system.
Bataan Death March
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After the fall of Bataan in the Philippines in 1942, the IJA forced around 75,000 Filipino and
American prisoners of war to undertake a brutal forced march to prison camps. The Bataan
Death March spanned approximately 65 miles, and prisoners endured extreme heat, malnutrition,
and merciless abuse. Thousands died during the march due to exhaustion, starvation, and outright
murder by the IJA. This incident symbolizes the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war under
the IJA's command.
Biak Massacre
In 1944, the IJA committed the Biak Massacre in Papua New Guinea. After an unsuccessful
invasion attempt by the Allies, the IJA brutally suppressed local Papuan resistance fighters and
civilians suspected of supporting the Allies. Reports indicate that Japanese soldiers decapitated,
bayoneted, and burned hundreds of Papuan men, women, and children in a harrowing display of
violence and terror.
The "Three Alls Policy"
During its war against China, the IJA adopted a brutal strategy known as the "Three Alls Policy"
(kill all, burn all, loot all) or "Sankō Sakusen." This policy aimed to destroy resistance by killing
all enemies, burning down villages, and confiscating or destroying all supplies. The
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implementation of this policy led to the deaths of millions of Chinese civilians and caused
immense suffering across the country.
Conclusion
The horrors inflicted by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II are a testament to the
darkest aspects of human nature. The Nanking Massacre, Unit 731's atrocities, the Comfort
Women system, the Bataan Death March, the Biak Massacre, and the "Three Alls Policy"
represent just a fraction of the suffering endured by innocent civilians and prisoners of war at the
hands of the IJA.
Understanding this history is crucial to preventing future atrocities and ensuring that the
memories of the victims are never forgotten. By acknowledging the past and learning from it, we
can strive for a more just and compassionate world, where such acts of violence are never
allowed to happen again. It is our responsibility to remember and honor those who suffered and
to work towards a future free from the horrors of war and cruelty.
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