WWII Japanese Soldiers Believed Still Hiding

Japanese diplomats are visiting the Philippines in search of WWII-era Japanese soldiers who became separated from their unit and are believed still to be in hiding, fearing court martial.

Tsuzuki Nakauchi, believed to be hiding on Mindanao

From The Sunday Times (Australia)

MANILA: Sixty years after World War II, reports that two Japanese Imperial soldiers have been found in the southern Philippines has sent Japan's diplomats on a frantic mission to try to contact them.

The men, in their 80s, reportedly have lived on the island of Mindanao since they were separated from their division.

A day of waiting at a hotel in General Santos, 1000km south of Manila, turned to disappointment for Japanese diplomats.

Japanese spokesman Yu Kameoka said the men were apparently reluctant to meet the officials because of the large crowds, including journalists, waiting to see them.

Diplomats were trying to schedule a meeting today.

Japan's Kyodo News agency said the two might be Yoshio Yamakawa, who would be 87, and Tsuzuki Nakauchi, 85, from the 30th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army.

A war doesn't really end with the last shot fired.