In August 1945, Japan officially announced its unconditional surrender. At that time, there were millions of Japanese soldiers scattered in China, South Korea, Southeast Asia and other places. Soon after, under the unified arrangements of the Allied forces, the Japanese soldiers were disarmed and sent back to China in batches. Pictured here is a photograph left behind when they were sent back to China.
When they were sent, these soldiers, who had once flaunted their might in other people's land, had long since lost their original appearance. One by one, they were ragged and their faces were vicissitudes, carrying large bags and small bags of belongings on their shoulders, obeying the command of repatriation like robots. At this time, for them, what military temperament, what Bushido spirit, survival is the most important.
In any case, it is always lucky to be able to return home alive after losing the war. However, when the repatriated soldiers returned home with hope, they saw that the bombed-out territory and the occupying forces were everywhere. Pictured here is a street scene in Tokyo, Japan, just after the end of World War II.
What makes them even more sad is that the Japanese at home have cast hostile eyes on these repatriated soldiers. Many soldiers found themselves dead long ago. Even, the house has burned down, the wife has remarried, the family is missing, and they are homeless. A group of repatriated Japanese soldiers sit in the street, not knowing where to go.
Only a few soldiers were lucky enough to be reunited with their families. After all the tribulations, they couldn't stop crying.
More people, unable to find a way out and a job for a while, can only live on the streets. At that time, public places such as Ueno Park in Tokyo were crowded with homeless soldiers.
Some who were able to work soon began to make a living on the streets. A group of soldiers shines shoes.
A few soldiers are pictured selling food at a street stall.
Others, who are incapable of working, can only dress themselves up as handsome, win sympathy, and beg along the street. The fate of these Japanese soldiers who were sent back to China echoed the old Chinese saying, "Lift a stone and drop it on your own feet", and the samurai who were once brainwashed by militarism are now reduced to begging along the streets.