Key Facts
• Emperor and Empress officially visited Mongolia for international goodwill on July 8, 2025.
• Emperor performed viola with a Mongolian horsehead fiddle ensemble, playing ‘Hamabe no Uta.’
• Approximately 14,000 Japanese were sent to Mongolia post-WWII as Soviet prisoners.
• Around 1,700 Japanese detainees died due to forced labor, malnutrition, and extreme cold.
• Death rate in Mongolian internment (12.1%) exceeded that of Siberian internment.
• Emperor and Empress laid flowers at a memorial for Japanese detainees in Ulaanbaatar.
• Journalist Hirohiko Ide revealed 1,523 of 1,700 deceased detainees have been identified.
• Japanese detainees contributed to constructing 30 buildings, including government and cultural facilities.
• Former detainee’s daughter, Fisae Suzuki, expressed pride in her father’s contributions.
• Emperor’s visit aims to shed light on the lesser-known Mongolian internment history.
Summary
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s official visit to Mongolia highlighted the overlooked history of Japanese detainees sent there after World War II. Approximately 14,000 Japanese were transferred to Mongolia by the Soviet Union, with 1,700 dying due to forced labor, harsh winters, and malnutrition. The Emperor and Empress paid their respects at a memorial in Ulaanbaatar, marking the first such tribute by a reigning Emperor. Journalist Hirohiko Ide emphasized the need for greater awareness of this history, as the death rate in Mongolian internment surpassed that of Siberia. The detainees’ contributions to constructing key Mongolian infrastructure, including government buildings and cultural facilities, remain a testament to their resilience. The visit aims to foster understanding and ensure this chapter of history is not forgotten.
