Repatriation to Japan of Japanese Emigrants and Prisoners of War

Tags: Japan | repatriation | video

 

In 1945, with victory in the war and Japan's unconditional surrender, Taiwan returned to its motherland. The Japanese emigrants and prisoners of war in Taiwan were repatriated to Japan in groups on December 25, 1945. Before their departure, they tried to sell on the streets whatever they couldn’t take with them; they also purchased a few things that they liked to take back to Japan. The streets were crowded with people; a rare excitement scene after the war. These Japanese emigrants and prisoners of war carried their suitcases and left their residences, ready for the trip back to Japan. The train stations were packed with uprooted Japanese. With rumbling noises, the trains carried loads and loads of people away. The Keelung port, with surging crowd, was the place where ships would sail to Japan. Taiwan was ceded to Japan after China lost in the Sino-Japanese War at the end of the Qing Dynasty and was returned to China after World War II. The forgiving and returning good for evil act of President Chiang Kai-shek deeply touched the Japanese. Sounding the horns, the ships sailed away with these foreigners. The people of Taiwan gathered their spirits to look towards a bright future.

 

Repatriation to Japan of Japanese Emigrants and Prisoners of War
遣送日僑日俘歸國
 

 

Chinese Taipei Film Archive (Taiwan Film Digital Archives and Promotion Project)