Date of letter:1993-05
Address of author:Xushui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province
Date of event:1943-1945
Location of event:Xushui County, Baoding City, Hebei Province
Name of author:Li Fugui
Name(s) of victim(s):Li Fugui
Type of atrocity:Slave Laborers(SL）
Other details:In 1943 I was captured by the Japanese Army to the County town, and later shipped to Japan to work as Slave Laborers. On the way no food was given to us, and those sick were directly thrown into the sea. After arriving in Hokkaido, we worked day and night, suffered hunger and coldness, and were often beaten and lived a life inferior to beasts. In 1945 I returned to China. Note: The envelope is missing
I am Li Fugui, male, Han, now 75, from Yuejiaying Village, Xushui, Hebei. In July 1943 during Japan’s war of aggression against China, I was captured by the invading Japanese army when I was farming at home and taken to the county. Later, I was sent by ship to Japan and wasn’t given anything to eat or drink on the way. Some fellowmen got sick and instead of being treated, they were thrown into the sea. After reaching Japan, we were sent to a mine in Hokkaido, where we were forced to dig coal day and night. We weren’t given enough food, but were insulted and beaten a lot. We lived an inhuman life there. We were not provided with medical treatment when we got sick. Some fellowmen who were extremely sick, but were not dead would be thrown into the mountain. I was 72.5kg before I was captured, but later my weight fell to a little over 40kg in the mine. I was too skinny to walk. One time, I nearly got eaten by a huge dog. Luckily, I was saved by a fellowman and survived, but I became disabled. Even until today, I have trouble walking.
It wasn’t until 1945 when Japan surrendered were we sent back to China by the American army. As I was too fragile and suffered from severe arthritis, I couldn’t walk or live on my own. So, I had to live under the care of my nephew. I have suffered great physical and economic losses.
We don’t have any say in war reparations between governments, but as victims who were personally tortured by the invading Japanese army, we firmly demand a double economic compensation from the Japanese government.
Victim Li Fugui
May 20, 1992
