# Why did both the Nazis & Japanese perform "experiments" on POW's in WWII? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 23, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612 "2002-06-23T23:56:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/1 "2002-06-23T23:56:52Z")
I know a bit about what the Nazis did, both to Jews/gypsies/Russian POW’s, but I’ve recently read that the Japanese did some of the same horrible experiments on POW’s that the German’s did. Why hasn’t there been much info/literature about this out there? I did read The Rape Of Nanking, which was gutwrenching at times. I also have heard that the Japanese had a division of the army that was devoted to biological and chemical warfare, but haven’t been able to find out much about that wither. Anyone have any books etc they can recommend? Thanks:) ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/2 "2002-06-24T00:08:17Z")
The Japanese Mengeles: [Unit 731](http://vikingphoenix.com/public/rongstad/military/pow/pow.htm#731) ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/3 "2002-06-24T00:21:13Z")
Essentially, because both governments had an ideology that considered other/certain peoples/nationalities to be less than human, i.e. little better than animals. Once you’ve denied a person’s basic humanity, medical testing, experiments, and all other manners of cruelty are just a step away. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/4 "2002-06-24T00:22:31Z")
> [@](#): > > the Japanese did some of the same horrible experiments on POW’s that the German’s did. I believe the Japanese did much worst experiments they the Germans even thought of. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/5 "2002-06-24T00:30:06Z")
Because both governments permited the whims, wishes & prejudices of individuals to be elevated over the rule of law. This guarentees barbarism. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-both-the-nazis-japanese-perform-experiments-on-pows-in-wwii/115612/6 "2002-06-24T00:47:12Z")
[Unit 731: Testimony](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/4900737399/qid=1024878924/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-4140809-2282367) at Amazon. Two of the specific goals the Japanese were trying to achieve were an effective means of conducting germ warfare and finding the best way to treat frostbite. Since they considered their prisoners to be sub-human (their records list them as “logs”), they felt no qualms whatsoever about treating them in ways that a sane person would find unimaginable. For me, the sickest part is that not only were most of them never puinished, two of the top officials went on to found Green Cross, one of Japan’s largest medical companies (and one that has racked up a significant number of scandals involving sacrificing patients for profit).