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Germ warfare secrets out

Just when you think the spectre of Japanese atrocities during World War 2 is about to vanish, more revelations are made about the nastiness of our very northern neighbours come to light.

A Tokyo court has revealed that Japan waged germ warfare against the Chinese during the 1930s and 1940s during its military campaign to defeat the world's most populous country.

The Japanese had a secret mob called Unit 731 that used biological weapons in northern China and infected villages with such horrible diseases as bubonic plague and cholera.

It also carried out surgery on human victims - live autopsies in fact - and tested the effects of anthrax, typhoid and botulism on prisoners of war - including our own Australian soldiers.

The details were brought to light during a court case where 180 Chinese sued Japan for $150,000 compensation each and called for an apology.

As seems to be standard practice for the Japanese - both were rejected as having no legal basis for such claims. Basically, they are saying the experiments took place, but 'up yours' because we are not responsible for them.

If there is logic in there somewhere, this old head has yet to discover it.

Mind you, with such callous Japanese disregard for human life - is it any wonder our planet's whale population is getting very nervous?

If there is something that has really got up your nose, let Grumpy Old Coot know at grumpy@webwombat.com