Japanese union promises to build Hope Schools in China for war atonement  

東日本鐵路工會為贖罪 承諾在中國援建希望小學

(ECNS) – A railway union in Japan has promised to build 19 Hope Primary Schools in rural Chinese areas to atone for atrocities their compatriots committed against Chinese people over 82 years ago, the Beijing Times reported.

Nobuhiro Saito, director of the East Japan Railway union, made the promise in Fushun, Liaoning province, on Tuesday during the 82nd mourning ceremony of the Pingdingshan Massacre.

Over 3,000 Chinese civilians were killed by the Japanese Imperial Army in the massacre on September 16, 1932.

Saito said they want to convey their hope for peace and friendship between Japan and China through the school project. "We have raised enough funds for the project in two years," he added.

The union has organized over 2,500 people to visit the Memorial of the Pingdingshan Massacre since 1993.