Escape from Manchuria: The Rescue of 1.7 Million Japanese Civilians Trapped in Soviet-occupied Manchuria Following the End of World War II

by Paul K. Maruyama

In the closing days of WWII, the Soviet Union attacked and occupied Japanese-controlled northern China, then called Manchuria. Immediately, misery and death from cold, hunger, disease, and brutality descended on the Japanese civilians at the hands of the Soviet Army and revenge-seeking mobs and bandits. Nearly 2,500 Japanese, mostly the elderly and children, died daily. Three courageous Japanese men embarked on a secret mission and escaped to Japan to eventually bring about an end to the Manchurian nightmare. In a riveting story, a son of the leader of the three courageous men narrates to readers a compelling tale of the rescue and repatriation of nearly 1.7 million abandoned non-combatant Japanese that began almost a year after Japan’s surrender. The book describes the indispensable part that General Douglas MacArthur played in the repatriation and discloses the role played by the Catholic Church in Manchuria and Japan in assisting the three men to achieve success. The heroics of the three men have not been fully recognized, even in Japan, because they took on the mission of rescue as private citizens, without the consent or knowledge of the then-utterly helpless Japanese government.

Genres: History

571 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 28, 2009

Reviews

[Stephen Rowland · Rating 3 out of 5]

2½. There's a good story here but the book itself is at least 100 pages too long, poorly written, and repetitive. And as the author is the son of the main "rescuer," it is surely not an objective account.

[Anna Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no one who can contradict the fact that the World War II is one of the most horrific events in human history. The scale of misery and trauma has been well-documented and is something that anyone can give substance to with a simple google search. But not too many people know of this story of Japanese civilians, stranded in Manchuria at the end of the Second World War. As a matter of fact, the story is not extensively well-known even in Japan. That is why this book is very special and one of a kind.

Escape from Manchuria is an intriguing, spine-tingling, heartbreaking and a moving story of three men whose unfaltering belief in the greatness of humanity empowered them to leave no stone unturned, see it through and to reunify over a million refugees and their loved ones against overwhelming odds to their homeland. The author administers the fundamental historical background information to the reader which is necessary to understand how and why the Japanese families came to be in Manchuria and the repression of Japanese society by the military leading up to the war. The desire of the three men to get up and go in an environment where they were skeptical of whom they could trust and their escape to Japan is an inspiring tale well told.

I am deeply moved by this story. I am touched by the benevolence and humaneness demonstrated by General MacArthur and the active reinforcement provided by the Nationalist Chinese Government. Paul's father, Kunio, is an attestant to the unvarnished truth, bravery and faith. And Paul Maruyama? This was my first exposure to him, and I was astounded at how poetic and how heartbreaking his writing is. I began reading this book believing that nothing would be new to me, and found myself undeniably lost beautifully within the first few pages.

This book is definitely well worth reading especially by WWII history buffs. I think this book will be a great movie too and I can't wait to see it on the big screen someday!

[Debra Peddicord · Rating 3 out of 5]

The feat these three men accomplished is downright amazing, but I got bogged down in the details of meetings, too much repetition, etc. I put it down once but decided to go back and persevere! It would make a great story were it written in a more exciting story form.

[Nanako Water · Rating 5 out of 5]

The survival of over a million WWII refugees, many of whom were women and children, was due to the audacity and initiative of one civilian Japanese man. A man who used his knowledge of the Americans to tap into their sense of decency to help fellow human beings. Thanks to years studying at American universities before WWII, and his wife Mary who he met as a student, Kunio Maruyama knew Americans would “do what was right” even if it meant helping a former enemy and enraging an ally. This book was a fascinating look behind the scenes of the WWII few Americans know about—Manchuria and China. President Truman, the Soviets, General MacArthur, Chian Kai-shek, Mao, post-war Japanese government, and the Catholic Church all played roles in the drama unfolding in China and Korea. I initially read the book because I wanted to understand the history behind a Japanese memoir I translated (Tei, a memoir of the end of war and beginning of peace) but this book is a must read for anyone who cares about America’s role in the world, and especially how America treats the refugees of inevitable human conflicts.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to read this book after reading a review in my local newspaper, The Colorado Springs Gazette. The author is a professor at Colorado College here in Colorado Springs and the article piqued my interest in his story.

I almost quit reading after the first few chapters because I found the language rather pedantic (read like a research paper in places, not surprising given the author is a college professor), but I persisted because I am interested in the World War II time period. A good editor would have suggested reducing the number of times the author uses the phrase "1.7 million Japanese civilians."

The story of this escape and rescue would be more interesting to read if it were told in a more suspenseful and dramatic way.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not all history is included in the text books.

Paul Maruyama was born in Japan and moved to the US as an adult. He was an officer in the US Air Force and was stationed with his family at Yokota Air Base, and later at Fuchu near Tokyo. He later served in Viet Nam and at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. His father was Japanese educated in the US before WW2. His mother was born in the US of Japanese parents and moved back to Japan before WW2.