Roger OngOkunoshima Island is popular among animal lovers because it is also called “Rabbit Island” for the free-roaming rabbits for this 0.7km² sized island. But Okunoshima Island has a darker history. Opposite the visitor center, tucked between the road and the forest, is Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum, detailing how the Japanese army created poison gas in the Pacific War.
Okunoshima Island, located east of Hiroshima City in the Inland Sea, was where the Imperial Japanese army researched chemical warfare, turning an island paradise into an unfettered crime against the sanctity of human lives. The Okunoshima Poison Gas Museum was built by the will of the post-war residents to make sure this history is not forgotten.
With special permission from the town mayor, we were allowed to take photos within the museum. Photography and videography are usually not allowed within the premises.
The history of Okunoshima Island and Poison Gas
Okunoshima Island is often not talked about because it was kept secret by the Japanese military. It used to be a quiet island with residential facilities to produce fertilizers and farm chemicals. This, and the island’s relatively small size, allowed the Japanese military to keep it out of attention from enemies.
Five variations of poison gases were produced, effects ranging from destroying respiratory systems to creating paralysis to loss of eyesight. Of course, chemical warfare focused on mass destruction through agonizing deaths. Despite the Hague Declaration in 1899 to ensure the (ironic) humanity in war, research and manufacture of poison gas continued.
Little is known about how or to what extent the poison gas was actually used in the war. However, there are many records of Japan’s use of these poison gas in military records. It included the development of balloons to detonate over enemies.
Sacrificing their own people for glory
Work conditions are harsh, to be sure, even with their “full protective gear.” Despite working 13 hours a day, the atmosphere was jovial, as most workers believed in their contribution to the war effort.
Island residents were also issued gas protection gear, uncomfortable to look at and even less comfortable to wear. Young teenagers were also activated to work for the wartime effort, often consisting of hard manual labor.
As expected, there were related health effects and deaths among the workers and residents alike. Many suffered breathing difficulties or developed chronic bronchitis. They died from tuberculosis-like symptoms and other after-effects in their respiratory and digestive systems.
Post-war: problems exists till today
Even after the war, disposal was a problem. There was a panic to get rid of the evidence of the production of poison gas, so the Japanese tried to dump them into the ocean, burn the chemicals and bury them. It is unclear what the environmental impact is. However, it led to more victims, because the disposal was handled carelessly (partly due to lack of knowledge).
Problems continue to this day too. There are unaccounted drums of toxic materials still buried in Chinese lands today. In recent years, cases of farmers digging, hitting, and releasing these toxic gas have occurred. Japan continues paying compensation to these victims.
Have we learned the value of lives? Have we learned, even?
These events are reminders of the importance of lives and memory.
This is not just a story about ensuring peace and preventing war. We see the common theme in modern tragedies, of how willing human beings are to sacrifice lives and the environment for “progress” and “glory.” Yet, boys called “leaders” of the world continue to flaunt threats of war and conflict, ready to foot the bill with others’ lives that they are willing to sacrifice.
The second importance lies in memories. While there were discussions to destroy these symbols of aggression against humanity, the citizens of Okunoshima insisted on retaining them as reminders. It is their wish that we should not make the same mistakes. Furthermore, they have allowed nature to reclaim the island, knowing well where true value lies.
