Key Facts
• Mayuki Uyama, 16, investigates her great-grandfather Rokuro Uyama’s life.
• Rokuro, born in 1912, studied Russian and worked in Manchuria during WWII.
• In 1945, he was detained by the Soviet Union on espionage charges.
• His family returned to Japan, but Rokuro was executed in Moscow in 1947.
• He was posthumously exonerated by Russia in 2000.
• Mayuki’s interest began on her 13th birthday, coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• She found connections to Rokuro through shared love for Russian culture.
• Mayuki met Genichi Kato, a 100-year-old Siberian labor camp survivor, for insights.
• Rokuro’s grave in Moscow remains a mystery, symbolizing Soviet remorse.
• Mayuki plans to publish a book on Rokuro’s life to promote peace and reflection.
Summary
Mayuki Uyama, a 16-year-old high school student from Hamamatsu, is uncovering the life of her great-grandfather Rokuro Uyama, who was executed in the Soviet Union after WWII. Rokuro, a Russian language scholar and Manchurian political officer, was accused of espionage and executed in 1947. His family only learned the truth decades later, receiving a posthumous exoneration in 2000. Inspired by her birthday coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Mayuki delved into her family history, finding shared connections through Russian culture. She met Genichi Kato, a Siberian labor camp survivor, and visited historical sites, including Rokuro’s grave in Moscow. Mayuki is now writing a book to share Rokuro’s story, aiming to inspire younger generations to reflect on peace and history.
