Despite extensive surveys disproving the existence of “mass graves,” the journalist dismissed protests by claiming he merely repeated the Chinese narrative, exposing a critical failure of journalistic responsibility.

2016-05-04

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Questionnaires were sent to those involved with the former Fushun Coal Mine and the former South Manchuria Mining Company.

After meeting approximately sixty respondents, every person surveyed answered as follows:
“I have never seen a ‘mass grave.’”
“I had never even heard the term ‘mass grave.’”

In 1990, Tanabe published the results of his investigation in the August issue of the magazine Seiron, concluding that “there were no mass graves.”

Honma responded, saying, “It is strange to draw conclusions from a small number of questionnaires.”

In response to the discrepancy between the two claims, the Tokyo Fushun Association, composed of former Fushun Coal Mine personnel, sent questionnaires to all approximately 1,000 of its members.
After closely examining the 469 responses received, the association concluded that “it has become clear that there were no ‘mass graves’ as ‘human dumping grounds’ for victims of forced labor.”

Executives of the former South Manchuria Mining Company had, at the time of the series, demanded that Asahi Shimbun retract the articles, stating that the “mass graves” were completely unfounded.

They were, however, “flatly turned away.”

Kentaro Kuno, who had worked as an electrical engineer at the Fushun Coal Mine, also sent a letter of protest directly to Honma.

In March 1986, Honma sent Kuno the following reply:
“I was merely repeating what the Chinese side said, so if you wish to lodge a protest, could you not do so directly with the Chinese side?”

At the time of the series, many people who had been involved were surely still alive, yet there is no sign that Honma or Asahi conducted interviews with the Japanese side.

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