Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates

Located on the 33rd floor of the Shinjuku Sumitomo Building, one of the landmark skyscrapers in Tokyo’s Shinjuku subcenter district, this museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn firsthand about the wars Japan experienced and the hardships they left behind.
The museum presents the many tragedies of World War II through the stories of those whose lives were profoundly affected by the war. Exhibits include materials related to soldiers who left their families behind after receiving draft notices—commonly known as “red papers”—and were sent to dangerous battlefields; detainees who, even after the war had ended, were subjected to harsh forced labor under severe conditions in places such as Siberia and Mongolia, where winter temperatures could fall to minus 50 degrees Celsius; and repatriates who lost their livelihoods overseas and struggled to return to Japan after the war.
Through personal belongings, documents, and historical records, visitors can gain insight into the difficult experiences endured by these individuals.
The museum also hosts regular storytelling sessions by people with firsthand wartime experiences. During summer vacations and other special periods, a variety of events, including theatrical performances and film screenings, are held.
Why not take a moment away from the routines of everyday life to reflect on war, peace, and the future? You may come to appreciate the value of ordinary daily life in a new way.
Admission to the Memorial Museum for Soldiers, Detainees in Siberia, and Postwar Repatriates is free of charge.