Japanese war orphans return to China

Nearly 60 Japanese war orphans have visited China for an emotional reunion with their Chinese foster families. The average age of the Japanese war orphans making the trip is nearly 70. Many of their foster parents have died, and they have no other brothers and sisters in China. Keico Nakamura is one of them. She said she wanted to use her visit to China to express her appreciation to those who raise her.

Nakamura is in her sixties now. She was left in China as a three-year-old in 1945.

She grew up with her Chinese foster parents and her younger brother, who is also a Japanese orphan.

"I don't know how to express my appreciation for them."

Nakamura said her foster parents did all they could to provide her and her brother with a better life.

Meico Nakamura said, "My father was suffering from cancer. He said he wanted to eat some oranges. My family was very poor at that time. So I just bought a few small ones. Now, the living conditions are getting much better. Every time I saw someone selling oranges, deep sorrow flooded my mind. If my foster parents were still alive, I would buy the best food and clothes I could for them."

Nakamura worked as a teacher in China before she returned to Japan 10 years ago. She said she was indebted to the Chinese people who raised her.

Hong Jingru, another Japanese orphan, is luckier than Nakamura. She was left at Harbin train station in 1946, and was found by Ms. Hong who brought her home and raise her up.

Ms. Hong said, "She was a poor baby girl at that time. Although Japan invaded China, she had nothing to do with that. She was just a little orphan."

The trip by these seniors has allowed them to express gratitude to their Chinese foster families. They all said their experiences had proved that peace was the most precious thing.