(ECNS) - Maruyama Gen, a Japanese man in his eighties, traveled hundreds of miles by bicycle to visit the 9.18 History Museum in the northeastern China city of Shenyang, to condemn the Japanese Imperial Army's invasion of China during World War II. [Special coverage]
He began his journey in his birthplace, Harbin, in Heilongjiang province, and arrived in Shenyang, Liaoning province, on Monday after riding for hundreds of miles.
Wearing a white shirt and sneakers, he gazed at monuments of anti-Japanese aggression before going through historical records and materials from the war.
"I'm still shocked upon seeing these photos despite my psychological preparation," he said.
A picture depicting human heads that had been cut off Chinese citizens especially evoked his horror.
"The Japanese military bombed Chinese railways in order to initiate the war. A country like this is horrifying," said the aged.
Once back in Japan, he plans to dedicate himself to educating Japanese youth, telling them about the crimes the Japanese Imperial Army committed against China during the war. Japan should recognize history to raise hopes for peace, he said.
Maruyama is currently cycling to Huludao in Liaoning province, where he left China for Japan at the age of 11. He is determined to relive his journey by visiting Changchun and Shenyang along the way.
