University diploma of Nitaguchi in China. (Photo/People's Daily)

Nitaguchi looks at the photos of his adoptive mother. (Photo/People's Daily)

"If my Chinese mother did not adopt me, we would not have today's interview. She saved my life and also raised me up. I can never forget her kindness in my life," says Nitaguchi Kunihiro during an interview with People's Daily.

Thousands of Japanese children were abandoned by Japanese invaders in China during the aftermath of World War II. Nitaguchi was one of them. 

In the early 1930s, Nitaguchi's parents came to northeast China from Japan. His father worked in the post office, and his mother made kimonos at home to support the family.

In 1939, Nitaguchi was born in China. His father was forced to join the Japanese army during the latter part of the war, when Japan was losing ground, and died on the eve of the Japanese surrender.

Thousands of Japanese people were abandoned by Japanese invaders in China, including Nitaguchi's family. Nitaguchi, along with his mother, lived together in a primary school with very poor conditions. When winter came, his sister and mother died due to hunger and cold. 

Nitaguchi fell into despair, thinking he was going to die soon. However a Chinese woman adopted him. Long time hunger made Nitaguchi's body very weak. To restore vitality, his Chinese mother bought rice at a very high price and made porridge for him. At the time, rice was considered as the most nutrient-rich food. During the war, only Japanese people could eat rice, Chinese people were not allowed to eat, and grow rice in the country, according to Nitaguchi.

"Although the family was very poor, my Chinese mother still made every effort to afford me the best food in the family. She never allowed other kids bully me in school," Nitaguchi said.

Nitaguchi told the reporters that his mother never had any education, however she cared much about the education of Nitaguchi. With her support, Nitaguchi was admitted to a university in 1960. Few people could go to the university at the time. After the father's death in 1961, the condition of the family became very difficult. Nitaguchi wanted to quit school and find a job to support the family. But his mother insisted he finish the college.

"My mother died due to heart disease in 1975, that was the saddest thing that happened in my life," said Nitaguchi. In 1989, he returned to Japan. Every year, he came back to China to visit his mother's grave." In my lifetime, as long as I can move, I will continue to visit her. If one day I couldn't make it, my children will come instead of me," Nitaguchi said.

"I hope Abe and the government can have a correct understanding of the history of the aggression that brought catastrophe to its Asian neighbors, and make a sincere apology to the people who have suffered Japanese aggression and make contributions to the good relationship with China and other neighboring countries." Nitaguchi said.