Photo/Illutration Villagers from Ohinata-mura who were sent to occupy the former Manchuria under a government policy during the Second Sino-Japanese War (©GROUP GENDAI) 

People often imbue their names with what they take pride in.

This may have been the case with a village named Ohinata-mura (Ohinata literally means a “large sunny place”), which was located in the Minamisaku region of Nagano Prefecture.

The village, nestled in a gorge, stretched east to west. Despite being in a deep mountainous area, it reportedly received less rain and enjoyed longer hours of sunlight.

This mountain village came into the historical spotlight in 1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Under the national policy of “Man-Mo Kaitaku" (Manchurian-Mongolian Development) that promoted colonizing and developing Manchuria and Inner Mongolia, nearly half of the village's population, close to 800 people, were sent to the former Manchuria.

This was advertised nationally as the first model village for the “Bunson Imin” approach, a combination of emigration policy and rural measures involving dividing village households into "suitable farmers" and "excess farmers." The latter were sent to the former Manchuria and Inner Mongolia regions.

However, the situation of the village drastically changed after Japan's defeat in World War II.

Half of the villagers who had settled in Manchuria died of starvation and other causes during their repatriation. Even those who managed to return to the village found no homes left for them in their homeland.

Regarding these tragic historical facts, a film titled "46 Years of Ohinata-mura“ was made in 1984, marking the 46th anniversary of the mass emigration.

It recorded the testimonies of the villagers who settled in Manchuria. This summer, it is being rescreened in the city of Nagano.

The film poses heavy questions to the villagers.

Should they have never gone to Manchuria? Were they aware that they were seizing Chinese land?

Some of them claim they were deceived, while others look away in silence, and yet others say it was good that they went after all.

The words of a 63-year-old woman, spoken as if absorbing everything, are striking: "I have lived ordinarily, just ordinarily."

The director, Tsuneo Yamamoto, 76, reflects, "I wanted to know not just about their horrific experiences, but about each individual's personal feelings.”

Many of the witnesses have passed away. What was the Man-Mo Kaitaku really about?

This August, the 79th anniversary of the end of the war, we have an opportunity to listen to the poignant echoes from the twisted light and shadow born of war through the narratives of the deceased.

—The Asahi Shimbun, Aug. 4

* * *Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.