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Ishii ShiroJapanese microbiologist, war criminal
Date of Birth: 25.06.1892
Country:  Japan |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Career
- Biological Weapon Experiments
- Lecture on Bacteriological Warfare
- Leadership of Biological Warfare Division
- Chief Medical Officer
- Post-World War II
- Death and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Shirō Ishii, a Japanese microbiologist and war criminal, was born in Shibayama, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He studied medicine at Kyoto Imperial University, graduating in 1922.
Military Career
Ishii was assigned to the 1st Army Hospital and Medical School in Tokyo in 1922. He returned to Kyoto University two years later to pursue research. From 1928 to 1930, he traveled to Western countries to study the effects of biological and chemical weapons.
Biological Weapon Experiments
In 1932, Ishii began experimenting with biological weapons at the Zhongma Fortress as part of a secret Japanese Army project. In 1936, Unit 731 was established near Harbin, China. The research was classified, with the unit claiming to be involved in water purification.
Lecture on Bacteriological Warfare
On February 9, 1939, Ishii delivered a lecture on bacteriological warfare at the War Ministry Auditorium in Tokyo. A vivisection was also performed before the audience.
Leadership of Biological Warfare Division
From 1940, Ishii led the Kwantung Army's Biological Warfare Division and worked at the Bacteriological Department of the Army Medical Academy. In 1942, he began testing biological weapons on Chinese prisoners of war and civilians.
Chief Medical Officer
From 1942 to 1945, Ishii served as Chief Medical Officer of the Japanese First Army.
Post-World War II
Ishii was arrested by the Americans after the end of World War II. In 1946, he was granted immunity in exchange for providing data on experiments involving human subjects. As a result, Ishii escaped prosecution for war crimes.
Death and Legacy
According to his daughter, Harumi, Ishii died in Japan from throat cancer. However, other sources claim that he moved to Maryland and continued his research.
