Keiji MAKIMURA (aka 牧村慶治) [1905- ]

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• 牧村慶治( Keiji Makimura )原籍大阪市東區南本町明治三十八年三月生 (1905). (1)
• From September 1943 (昭和18年9月), Makimura was a Japanese diplomat who served as the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs for Japanese-occupied Hong Kong.
• On August 29th, 1945 , he was dispatched as a special envoy by  Chief of Staff, Major General Fukuchi to deliver a message to Rear Admiral Harcourt.
• Makimura accompanied Major General Fukuchi and other Japanese officers in discussions  with the British to arrange the full evacuation of Hong Kong.
• On September 16th, 1945, Makimura assisted the two Japanese commanders in signing the official surrender document in the presence of Rear Admiral Harcourt, representing the formal handover of Hong Kong.
• As a non-military Japanese national, Makimura was sent back to Japan along with others in January 1946. (2)

In October 1956, Makimura serving as a Foreign Affairs official, accompanied Prime Minister of Japan Ichiro Hatoyama (鳩山一郎) on his visit to Pearl Harbor .

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• Keiji Makimura's memories of the Japanese surrender (Excerpts from the Japanese content)

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• After Japan's surrender, Gimson hoped to restore British rule in Hong Kong but faced many difficulties. Makimura represented Chief of Staff Major-General Fukuchi in meetings with Gimson to discuss matters such as setting up a British office in the colony. As Fukuchi's representative, Makimura greatly assisted Gimson in successfully establishing a temporary government in a short time and ensuring the orderly resumption of British authority. (3)

 None of this backtracking affected the tasks he had set himself after receiving Liang's message: quickly setting up a headquarters in town and telling the world he had done so. On 25 August Makimura reported that his Chief of Staff  (Fukuchi) had agreed to a British office, as he thought it would be helpful.

• As a representative of the Japanese military, he facilitated communication with Bishop Valtorta, who led the Catholic Church in Hong Kong. Bishop Valtorta faced difficulties such as property seizures and shortages. Makimura helped negotiate and address issues such as sheltering orphans after bombings and negotiating rice compensation. He was the only Japanese individual referred to as a 'friend' by the Bishop. When Japan surrendered, Makimura was allowed to leave internment due to his humanitarian acts. It is believed that Bishop Valtorta advocated for Makimura's release, recognizing his efforts in aiding the Church and alleviating the suffering of many during the difficult occupation years. (2)
• He saved Kiyoshi Watanabe (Uncle John). Because of Uncle John's friendly and kind manner towards the POWs, he was ostracized by his fellow and had to live in constant fear in Hong Kong. Luckily, he received help from the kind and sincere Makimura, who was willing to employ him on behalf of the Japanese Hong Kong Government, until Japan announced its surrender. (4)(5)

 The pressures were there all the time. An outcast from his own people, he had begun to dodge any Japanese he encountered in the streets. He lived furtively, permanently frightened ...... But Makimura, a kindly and sincere man, gave him confidence, told him that he (Makimura) needed an interpreter and that he would be pleased to employ him on behalf of the Japanese Hong Kong Government. And so it was that, along with many other Japanese men, Uncle John heard the Emperor's momentous broadcast of August 15, 1945.

 Kiyoshi Watanabe, newly re-employed as an interpreter by the Japanese administration after being abused and dismissed by Colonel Tokunaga

_{Sources :}

_{(1) 日本外務省年鑑 1938 (Japanese Foreign Ministry Yearbook 1938)
(2) 'Catholic Churches in Hong Kong under Japanese Occupation' by Akiko Kurata
https://www.cultus.hk/HKCat_12/2012/Kurata_E.htm
(3) 'Myths, Messages and Manoeuvres: Franklin Gimson in August 1945' by Brian Edgar
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26531702
(4) 15 Aug 1945, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
https://gwulo.com/node/12542
(5) 'Small man of Nanataki; the true story of a Japanese who risked his life to provide comfort for his enemies' by Nolan, Liam p.146}