Date of letter:1993-05
Address of author:Yongqing County, Langfang City, Hebei Province
Date of event:1942
Location of event:Yongqing County, Langfang City, Hebei Province
Name of author:Wang Yongyi
Name(s) of victim(s):Wang Yongyi
Type of atrocity:Slave Laborers（SL）
Other details:I was captured by the Japanese Army during mopping-up in 1942. I worked as a Slave Laborers for as long as 4 years, and each day I dug mountain cave. It was rumored to be a hydraulic power generation project, each day we ate dog food, and worked like beasts. In winter there was no cotton lined coats, someone found it intolerable and escaped, but were captured and gnawed to death by hounds. Many Chinese Slave Laborerss returned to motherland with disability or injury. I strongly demand Japanese government to compensate my salary and all losses.
Petition
Demanding the Japanese government to pay compensation wages to Chinese laborers
Incumbent Japanese government:
The Chinese government has only forgiven Japan for war reparations between the two governments; it has never waved the rights of Chinese civilian to claim damage compensation.
I was captured by the Japanese Invasion Army to work as a laborer during a mopping up campaign in Daqing River in North China, 1942. First, we were sent to the Tanggu Concentration Camp; later we were escorted to Tsukino Village, Tone County in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. After leaving the train, we walked southward for about 6 li before reaching a mountain gully, where we were forced to work as laborers for a total of 4 years. Each day we dug caves; it was rumored to be a hydraulic power station project. Each day we were given swine and dog feed but worked like beasts. Even pig feed and bran balls were of insufficient amount to fill our stomachs. In winter there was no cotton padded clothing; in summer there was no thin garment; instead, everyone was issued only a loin cloth. Clubs and whips of the Japanese foremen frequently fell on our bodies. They also cursed Chinese as “bastards” — “bakayaro” in Japanese. I personally witnessed some laborers who were beaten to death by the Japanese foremen. Some laborers felt the situation intolerable and tried to escape. But after they were later recaptured, they would receive even more appalling tortures. The Japanese foremen unleashed hounds to gnaw them to death. Some people fell ill but were denied treatments thus were tormented to death. In summary, the 4-year long life as laborers was hell on earth. What’s more, there was no pay. Some laborers sustained wounds in limbs and became disabled and some became blind in both eyes. By the time Japan surrendered in 1945, among more than 400 laborers, only a little over 130 persons survived. I myself sustained injuries when rocks smashed my left leg. I have not been able to work even today.
I strongly demand the incumbent Japanese government to pay USD 45000 as wage and disability compensation.
Surviving victim laborers who are still alive today include:
Li Wanzhong: No. 6, 42 Row, Dunhuafang Machinery Works Dormitory, Taiyuan City, Shanxi
He Chengyan: Laoyoutun Village, Bieguzhuang Town, Yongqing County, Hebei Province He Chengyan (name seal)
Li Shuhuai: Qianliuwuying Village, Bieguzhuang Town, Yongqing County, Hebei Province
Li Zhongyuan: Lao Village, Sanshengkou, Yongqing County, Hebei Province Li Zhongyuan (name seal)
Chinese victim laborer: Wang Yongyi (name seal)
Current address: Dengjiawu Village, Houyi Town, Yongqing County,
Hebei Province, People’s Republic of China
Yonqing County Houyi Town Dengjiawu Villagers’ Committee
(Seal of Villagers’ Committee)
May 1993
