Bokutachi Ga Rei Sen Wo Tsukutta Taiwan Shonen Ko No Shuki

[Machine Translation] In 1943, in order to secure workers for the newly built Takaza Naval Arsenal (aircraft manufacturing plant, Kanagawa Prefecture), the Navy decided to mobilize talented young men from Taiwan. The navy recruited several rounds of applicants from among those scheduled to graduate from elementary and junior high schools, offering them the opportunity to earn a diploma from an advanced school and a salary while working. More than 8,400 boys passed the rigorous selection examinations and came to Japan from Taiwan, crossing the sea where U.S. submarines lurked, with dreams of becoming aviation engineers and technicians. The testimonies of these former youth workers, who endured unaccustomed cold, food shortages, and severe air raids, and who lived their lives while helping and competing with each other, are here. This is a secret history of Japan and Taiwan that should not be forgotten.

昭和十八年、新設される高座海軍工廠(航空機製造工場、神奈川県)の工員確保のため、海軍は台湾から優秀な少年たちを動員することにした。働きながら上級学校の卒業資格と給料がもらえるという好条件で、小・中学校の卒業予定者の中から数次にわたり志願者を募集した。厳しい選抜試験を突破、航空技師・技手を夢見て台湾から米潜水艦の潜む海を越え日本にやってきた八千四百人余の少年たち。慣れない寒さと食糧不足、激しい空襲に耐え、助け合い、競い合いながら懸命に生きた元少年工の証言。忘れてはならない日台秘史。