Japanese soldier returns, 63 years after going to fight for the Emperor
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A former soldier with the Japanese army, long presumed dead, came home yesterday 63 years after leaving to fight in the Second World War.
Ishinosuke Uwano, 83, arrived at Japan's main international airport with his eldest son Anatoly, who was born in Ukraine, followed by a swarm of reporters asking questions about his mysterious past.
Mr Uwano, who looked fit and healthy, said he "felt good but very tired".
"I haven't spoken Japanese in 60 years," he said, "and first of all I would like to say konnichiwa [hello]."
Mr Uwano was still a teenager when he was drafted into the Imperial Army and sent to the Russian Far East. He ended the war on Sakhalin Island, which was seized and occupied by Russia, and later moved to the Ukraine, where it is thought he married a local woman and raised three children.
His last official sighting was in 1958. Six years ago his relatives gave up hope of finding him alive and officially removed his name from their family register.
A spokesman for Japan's Health Ministry said he contacted a Japanese embassy in Ukraine last year to ask for help in searching for surviving relatives. The spokesman said the ministry had no idea why it took him so long to come forward, and added: "We're looking forward to hearing his story."
Mr Uwano will return to the town of Hirono, 300 miles north of Tokyo, to meet his relatives today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments