Mutsuhiro Watanabe Biography

Mutsuhiro Watanabe was an Imperial Japanese Army corporal in the Second World War who served at POW (prisoners of war) camps in Omori, Naoetsu (now Jōetsu), Niigata, Mitsushima (now Hiraoka) as well as at Civilian POW Camp at Yamakita. He was later classified as a war criminal by the US Occupation authorities for his mistreatment of POWs; however he was never prosecuted. Known to his relatives as "Mu-cchan" and as the “Bird” to everyone else, Watanabe was regarded as the most cold-blooded guard of the Japanese army. His cruelty was portrayed by many authors and film makers in their projects. He became the subject of the Angelina Jolie-directed flick ‘Unbroken’, in which his character was portrayed by Japanese singer/actor Miyavi. During his early years the Japanese Army corporal had been a spoilt kid hailing from a wealthy family. He had unlimited money and a beautiful house with a big swimming pool. He also had an adoring mother and several siblings.