http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_1155000/1155250.stm
Tuesday, 6 February, 2001, 00:35 GMT
Japan 'covered up' germ warfare
Japanese military leaders tried to cover up germ warfare attacks on China
during Second World War because they were afraid then Emperor Hirohito would
be held responsible, Japanese historians have claimed.
The historians were testifying before the Tokyo District Court as witnesses
for a group of Chinese people demanding reparations for the deaths of
relatives. The Chinese plaintiffs claimed their relatives were killed in
biological experiments and other acts of brutality carried out by Japan
during World War II.
The court heard last month how the military ''bombed'' a Chinese city with
bubonic plague-carrying fleas, triggering a serious outbreak of the disease.
The lawsuit claims at least 2,100 people were killed in biological
experiments by Japan's notorious Unit 731.
Although some Japanese veterans have confessed to war crimes, the Japanese
government has refused to make a written apology to China for atrocities
committed before and during the war.
'Deal with US'
The Japanese historians testified that the full extent of the germ attacks
remained unknown partly because the United States made a deal with the
Japanese not to prosecute those involved in exchange for the scientific data.
According to the historians, the US was concerned that the information might
fall into the hands of Russia.
The witnesses said Japan's military headquarters ordered the Unit 731 to
destroy evidence when the United States dropped the second atomic bomb on
Nagasaki.
Unit leaders later landed top jobs at universities and pharmaceutical
companies, keeping their identities secret.
Japan acknowledges that Unit 731 existed, but has refused to confirm its
activities.
The trial in Tokyo District Court is expected to continue for several months.
Hirohito died in 1989 and was succeeded by his son, the current Emperor
Akihito.
