New Documentary Preserves Memories of Taiwan POWs Interned After World War II

A Taiwanese film director has released a documentary entitled "Memories Frozen in Time," which explores the lives of Taiwanese men who served as Japanese soldiers during World War II and were subsequently interned in Siberia following the war's conclusion. The film, set to premiere in Tokyo next month, aims to shed light on the largely unknown story of these individuals.

Director Hsu Ming-chun expressed his hope that the film would reach a wide audience, including younger generations, to foster understanding and remembrance of this historical chapter. According to Taiwan's Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry, approximately 207,000 Taiwanese individuals served as Japanese soldiers during the war, with around 30,000 ultimately losing their lives.

The documentary features three former internees and their descendents, offering insight into their experiences, including surveillance after returning to Taiwan and the efforts of their families to uncover the truth. Director Hsu emphasized the importance of passing this knowledge to future generations, stating, "The responsibility to pass this on to future generations is extremely important."

The film also addresses the lack of recognition given to Taiwanese internees, noting that the Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum in Japan, which preserves the memory of Siberian internment, has no exhibits dedicated to Taiwanese detainees. One such internee, Masao Go, shared his story of being selected as a radio operator and enduring harsh conditions in Siberia, where he weighed less than half his original weight upon return.

Despite the challenges, Go remains ambivalent about the Soviet Union, acknowledging the privileges he enjoyed during internment but expressing concern that the legacy of Taiwanese internees is fading from collective memory.