Storyline: A delegation of family members of Chinese victims who suffered untold atrocities committed by Japanese aggressor troops during World War II on Monday urged the Japanese government to assume responsibility as a state and issue a formal apology. The delegation, organized by the Chinese Association for the Preservation of Historical Facts of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, visited Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo to deliver a petition demanding an official apology to the Chinese people and civilian victims of Japan's wartime crimes. "We are mainly demanding for an apology from Japan, demanding that the Japanese government sincerely reflect on its responsibility and apologize to us victims," said Guan Jianqiang, secretary-general of the association. Ma Yan, whose relatives were victims of Japan's wartime biological warfare in China, stressed that the Japanese government has failed to take genuine responsibility for the wartime crimes committed by Japanese aggressor troops. "Our demand is that the Japanese government assume responsibility as a state that committed wartime aggression. It launched the aggression on China but was defeated. It was by no means the one that brought the war to an end. It has not truly apologized or genuinely pleaded guilty and repented," Ma said. The petition was supported by several Japanese scholars and politicians. In response to attempts by some Japanese politicians to conceal or minimize Japan's aggression on China, they argued that the Japanese government should face up to history, heed its lessons, and ensure such mistakes are never repeated again. "It is highly significant that Chinese victims' family members come to Japan and directly present their appeal to the Foreign Ministry, using their own voices to narrate what their previous generations endured [from the Japanese aggression]," said Masataka Mori, an expert on Japan's germ warfare against other countries. "Historical facts cannot be denied. The Japanese government should sincerely acknowledge the past and ensure that Japanese society understands them. Without doing so, Japan can hardly build its future," said Mizuho Fukushima, head of the Social Democratic Party of Japan. Shotlist: FILE: Tokyo, Japan - Date Unknown: 1. National flag of Japan 2. Various of Japan's National Diet building Tokyo, Japan - Sept 1, 2025: 3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Guan Jianqiang, secretary-general, Chinese Association for the Preservation of Historical Facts of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (starting with shot 3): "We are mainly demanding for an apology from Japan, demanding that the Japanese government sincerely reflect on its responsibility and apologize to us victims." 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Ma Yan, relative, victims of Japan's wartime biological warfare in China (partially overlaid with shot 6): "Our demand is that the Japanese government assume responsibility as a state that committed wartime aggression. It launched the aggression on China but was defeated. It was by no means the one that brought the war to an end. It has not truly apologized or genuinely pleaded guilty and repented." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 7. Various of Mmizuho Fukushima, head of Social Democratic Party of Japan speaking; attendees; complaint being handed over to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan 8. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Masataka Mori, expert on Japan's germ warfare against other countries (partially overlaid with shot 9): "It is highly significant that Chinese victims' family members come to Japan and directly present their appeal to the Foreign Ministry, using their own voices to narrate what their previous generations endured [from the Japanese aggression]." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 9. Ma speaking; attendees [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 10. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Mmizuho Fukushima, head, Social Democratic Party of Japan: "Historical facts cannot be denied. The Japanese government should sincerely acknowledge the past and ensure that Japanese society understands them. Without doing so, Japan can hardly build its future." Tokyo, Japan - Aug 14, 2025: 11. Flyers about exhibition 12. Various of original copy of Imperial Rescript on Termination of War. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]