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Name: **Keisuke Furuya** Age: 25 Gender: Male Occupation: Medic Appearance: Tall, black hair, big and brown eyes, pointy nose, thin lips, looks fit Location: Chang Chun, China, as a soldier of the Kwangtung army; later relocated to Nanking, then Singapore. Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Although he initially signed up for the job as a patriot, Keisuke not only fears his own death but also wishes that he was never in the war at the first place. He at first doubts his country. After Japan invades China and after he watches the patriotism of his fellow soldiers in action, however, he begins to transform - for the good and for the bad. Like many other Japanese at the time, he looks down on Chinese people. Family: He was raised by a single mother. Education: Japanese education Languages you speak: Japanese Your main concerns at this time and in life: At first, trying to survive the war so that he can return to Japan to his family and to his friends. Later, doing whatever he can to make Japan a better imperial country. Portrait (an image that you and we can live with):

Diary 1: January 1st, 1937 Jan 1st, 1937 Today is a cold, winter day in Chang Chun. Today, I had to amputate five legs of five different men. I will never forget my patients’ responses during the surgeries. As my scalpel touched the rotting skins of their legs, my patients’ faces each portrayed different emotions that ranged from fear to denial. Dilated pupils, swears trickling down, jaws clenched... The atmosphere in the room was so raw; I will never forget it. I will also never forget what these men are sacrificing their lives for: Japan and our emperor. Indeed, these men are truly defined by their love for our country. Without Japan, they would be nothing... And their patriotism helps me learn. I should be like them. I should never question our emperor, for he has done many great deeds such as leading our nation to Westernization, making Japan the champion of Asia. Today is the day I learn that I should not only give up my leg but also my life to my country. I will never forget the meaning of sacrifice. Today is also New Years. Unlike these other unenlightened Asians, we, the Japanese, recognize the Western New Years. My friends and I decide to celebrate it. We were about thirty men strong, if not forty. What was there to do for a group of men such as us? Our best option was to be with comfort women. Although I did not take any part in it, my friends called a single Korean woman to my room. She looked like she was seventeen - definitely no older than twenty. They did things to her that were, in my eyes, even inconceivable. And all that time, that woman did not say a single word. She seemed like she was thoughtless, as if her mind and her body were separate. She was an empty shell, without any feelings or emotion. Had this woman been a friend of mine, and had I still been a medical student in Tokyo, I would have been enraged upon witnessing such sexual activities. But strangely enough, I felt nothing for this woman. She was, so-to-speak, Japanese anyways. Many other girls her age have it worse: they have to labor from day to night and many of them are starved to death. Although on the back of my mind, I think I initially felt guilty. But we were having fun. Eventually, none of my friends, neither did I, feel sympathy for this girl. Those men with their legs chopped off showed sacrifice. They literally sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears. But that girl really didn’t. That is why I felt sorry for the former, and not the latter. Consequently, I will never forget the most important thing I learnt today: how Japan is full of patriotic people willing to sacrifice, while Korea, even under Japanese rule, is not. I will never forget that I am Japanese.

Diary 2: December 14th, 1937 Dec 14, 1937 Indeed, I have learnt a lot from my time in Chang Chun. I used to be an insecure soldier, not knowing what I was doing in China. I questioned my faith in the emperor. As I stared at the dying bodies of men in my arms, all I wanted to do was go back home to my family and friends. But I realized that I had been too naïve and not patriotic enough. The world I know now revolves around Japan, as I am proudly its pawn, always willing to sacrifice my life for a greater good. I feel not a bit of shame admitting the fact that I have started to enjoy the presence of comfort women - I deserve it anyways. Now, I am in Nan King. And yesterday, I have stepped another milestone in truly contributing to our army. I have reached a totally different level of patriotism. In an era of imperialism, Manchuria by itself did not provide enough resources. And yesterday, I did my best to expand Japan’s hegemony. We attacked Shanghai. Then, we attacked Nan King, China’s capital, and Chiang Kai Shek abandoned this city like a coward. Many of his soldiers changed to civilian clothes, so we were forced to “breed out the herd.” But we decided to have some fun in the process. And thus, we decided to play some games. First we thought it was unfair that we were stuck with the same comfort women all the time – why can’t we be awarded with some variety of choices? So we had some fun with the local women that were in Nan King. From teenagers to old women… It was all for fun; I even took pictures for memories sake. Some of my friends thought that it would be funny to force some of these lowly Chinese people to commit incest in front of us. It was hilarious at the time. Then, we went around trying to behead as many of them as we could. I got like fifty heads down. At that point, one of our soldiers asked me, “Why are we doing this?” And we first looked at each other then just laughed. It was a rhetorical question. Ah, the fun we had – I’m not sure if I’ll ever have as much fun again. However, the single most memorable thing that happened today was raping this teenager. I don’t know why I only raped one girl – I guess I just have more of a conscience or something… I didn’t even cut her breasts, stick any objects in her, nor did I kill her. In that way, I guess I’m still a good man, looking out for the best interests of inferior human races such as the Chinese. I only raped a girl.

Diary 3: Feb 16, 1942

I’ve been all over the world. Now, I am in Singapore. As I look back, I am so proud of myself for coming this far. I feel an overwhelming sense of gratification every time I reflect on my role in this war. Yesterday, my platoon and I achieved something that I could further add to my library of accomplishments: taking over Singapore. Now, we can definitely finishing off those “chinks” - it is just a matter of time! Without supplies from the arrogant English, the Chinese are useless and weak. Such unenlightened people...

The battle itself was pretty easy. The Singaporeans were so weak that it was unbelievable. Because the Singaporeans placed their line of defense in only one way, facing south towards Malaysia, we simply attacked from the north. When we reached their infamous cannons and machineries, we were impressed - impressed by how well they were prepared and, ironically, the lack thereof. We all just laughed at how shiny, new, and unused those weapons were.

Life was good and I wanted to tell my friends how good it was. I wrote letters to numerous friends at home, either telling them about my life in Singapore or urging them to join the army with me. One person I wrote a letter to was Keiki, Kagawa’s brother. Kagawa and I served the army together since my time in Chang Chun. He is the best friend anyone could ask for. Out of all people, I would trust Kagawa with my life. Interestingly, Kagawa and his brother, Keiki, are also family friends of mine, as our mothers have been acquainted in Tokyo.

I wrote in my letter that Keiki should definitely enroll and join us in the war. There was nothing to worry about. We defeated everyone we faced in China, Philippines, and even the Pacific Oceans. We were, simply put, the best of the best. Our country is on the verge of becoming internationally recognized as the most powerful nation in Asia. And now, Japan is finally coming closer to creating Asia for Asians. In short, I was sure that Keiki would have nothing but fun here. He was a patriot like me and Kagawa. I can’t wait till I get his reply.

Diary 4: August 1st, 1945

This can’t be happening. We are getting attacked from all sides, and I’m not sure why we are suddenly starting to lose our battles. Hundred days... That was all the time we had to enjoy our success. Although I doubted it at first, I must admit that I’m starting to see some ominous signs of defeat now.

I heard from headquarters that things aren’t turning out pretty there either. The Americans are using this clever tactic called “island hopping”. By conquering islands closer to Japan, these Americans are bombing our cities to pieces. I hope my friends and family are safe... There are so many things I wish I had done to show my gratitude for their endless support and love. If we all reunite safely after the war, I will treat them so much better than I did before. I just wish I can have that second chance...

We should never have attacked the Americans. We made a wrong move. I’ve heard of Roosevelt’s speech to the Congress, and I knew that this was not what we initially hoped for. I hope the emperor will lead us through these times of trouble.

As of the situation here, it’s horrible. We’re getting attacked and we had to retreat. I’m writing this letter on my way back to Japan, as I have been relocated once again. Most of my fellow soldiers have either died or surrendered. I could not believe my eyes. As a medic, I have seen numerous deaths, but never to this scale. Blood splattering everywhere, arteries dangling out, pieces of skulls cracked under our shoes... I will never forget this day.

Kagawa was one of the many soldiers that have died. I tried literally everything I could to revive my best friend. How could he die like that? He and I... we were supposed to celebrate together after the war was over. Maybe start a new business or something... But now, he was just another rotting body. Would the world in twenty years even remember he existed? His death made me reflect on the meaning of not only my death but also my life as well.

But I have to get my thoughts together. I am planning to write his mother a letter of condolence, as I know that no one would hate to hear this news as much as she would. I will give her the full context of his death, from his heroic personality to our current difficulties in the war, which inevitably lead to his surmise.