Media OutReach
‘War orphans’ express gratitude to Chinese foster parents
The association is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and China. Its mission includes supporting the social welfare of Japanese “war orphans” left behind in China—individuals who endured significant hardship during the post-war turmoil and are still facing various challenges today. The organization also seeks to preserve and transmit the memories of these experiences to younger generations and to deepen bilateral exchanges.
Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, more than 4,000 Japanese children were left behind in China and raised by Chinese families. Now advanced in age, the group has decided to undertake what they call their final “gratitude tour,” which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Since 2009, these orphans have been traveling to China every few years to acknowledge the kindness of their Chinese foster parents and other benefactors who supported them.
Sumie Ikeda, 81, head of the association of friendship of repatriates from China, is herself one of the Japanese orphans left behind in China. In an exclusive interview with CNS, she spoke in the fluent northeastern Chinese dialect of her childhood, reminiscing about her upbringing in Heilongjiang. “How could I be Japanese?” she reflected, her early identity obscured by the war’s aftermath. Separated from her biological family as an infant, she was raised in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province. “My foster mother was truly an exceptional Chinese woman,” Ikeda said, noting that memories of her foster mother’s strength continue to sustain her.
A pivotal moment occurred when she was eight and local Chinese authorities identified her Japanese heritage. The words of her foster mother, who insisted “This child is mine,” left an indelible mark on Ikeda. As an adult, her search for biological roots in 1980s Japan ended in hardship and betrayal, leaving her destitute and suicidal until rescued by the Chinese consulate.
“My first life was given by my birth parents; my second by my adoptive parents,” she recounted. “In the most difficult times, it was always the Chinese people who reached out to us.”
Ikeda’s story reflects a broader historical experience. Official Japanese records recognize 2,818 such “war orphans.” Their lives, Ikeda stresses, are a living indictment of the catastrophes caused by war.
Yet, despite their hardships, their enduring sentiment is one of profound gratitude towards China. “Though Japanese by birth, we would not have survived without Chinese people,” Ikeda said.
Their collective narrative delivers a dual message of profound gratitude and solemn warning. It pays tribute to the extraordinary compassion of ordinary Chinese people—a love that chose nurture over vengeance. “We must never let war happen again. Situations like ours must never be repeated,” Ikeda urged.
“We are a group with the dual identity of both perpetrators and victims,” she reflected, a statement that embodies the complex legacy of history, humanity, and a plea for lasting peace.
Hashtag: #ChinaNewsService
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The association is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and China. Its mission includes supporting the social welfare of Japanese “war orphans” left behind in China—individuals who endured significant hardship during the post-war turmoil and are still facing various challenges today. The organization also seeks to preserve and transmit the memories of these experiences to younger generations and to deepen bilateral exchanges.
Following Japan’s surrender in 1945, more than 4,000 Japanese children were left behind in China and raised by Chinese families. Now advanced in age, the group has decided to undertake what they call their final “gratitude tour,” which coincides with the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Since 2009, these orphans have been traveling to China every few years to acknowledge the kindness of their Chinese foster parents and other benefactors who supported them.
Sumie Ikeda, 81, head of the association of friendship of repatriates from China, is herself one of the Japanese orphans left behind in China. In an exclusive interview with CNS, she spoke in the fluent northeastern Chinese dialect of her childhood, reminiscing about her upbringing in Heilongjiang. “How could I be Japanese?” she reflected, her early identity obscured by the war’s aftermath. Separated from her biological family as an infant, she was raised in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang Province. “My foster mother was truly an exceptional Chinese woman,” Ikeda said, noting that memories of her foster mother’s strength continue to sustain her.
A pivotal moment occurred when she was eight and local Chinese authorities identified her Japanese heritage. The words of her foster mother, who insisted “This child is mine,” left an indelible mark on Ikeda. As an adult, her search for biological roots in 1980s Japan ended in hardship and betrayal, leaving her destitute and suicidal until rescued by the Chinese consulate.
“My first life was given by my birth parents; my second by my adoptive parents,” she recounted. “In the most difficult times, it was always the Chinese people who reached out to us.”
Ikeda’s story reflects a broader historical experience. Official Japanese records recognize 2,818 such “war orphans.” Their lives, Ikeda stresses, are a living indictment of the catastrophes caused by war.
Yet, despite their hardships, their enduring sentiment is one of profound gratitude towards China. “Though Japanese by birth, we would not have survived without Chinese people,” Ikeda said.
Their collective narrative delivers a dual message of profound gratitude and solemn warning. It pays tribute to the extraordinary compassion of ordinary Chinese people—a love that chose nurture over vengeance. “We must never let war happen again. Situations like ours must never be repeated,” Ikeda urged.
“We are a group with the dual identity of both perpetrators and victims,” she reflected, a statement that embodies the complex legacy of history, humanity, and a plea for lasting peace.
Hashtag: #ChinaNewsService
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
This auction, to be held on February 25 in Barcelona, marks a milestone in the European art season. Templum Fine Art Auctions presents an extraordinary selection of works spanning centuries of art history, from the Late Gothic period to Contemporary Art, featuring pieces of outstanding historical significance
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Comunicae – 21 February 2026 – Templum Fine Art Auctions presents one of the most ambitious sales of the season, to be held on February 25 in Barcelona, bringing together a carefully curated selection of works spanning from the Late Gothic period to Contemporary Art. The catalogue stands out for the quality, historical significance, and strong international provenance of the pieces included.
Among the leading lots is an exceptional Amedeo Modigliani, dated circa 1918 and belonging to the celebrated cycle of nus created during the artist’s mature period. Formerly in European collections and accompanied by documentation and registration in the Archives Légales Amedeo Modigliani, the work is presented as one of the central highlights of the sale, with a starting price of €2,500,000.
Twentieth-century art is further represented by Three Jackies (1964), a triptych by Andy Warhol, part of the iconic series dedicated to Jacqueline Kennedy following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The work retains documented provenance dating back to the 1970s and maintains direct links to Warhol’s original Factory in New York, reinforcing its historical relevance within the context of Pop Art.
The sale also includes a remarkable painting attributed to the Master of Guebwiller, active in the Rhineland at the end of the 15th century and a refined example of the International Late Gothic style; a vibrant avant-garde scene by Natalia Goncharova, dated circa 1912–1913, created at the height of her experimentation within the Russian avant-garde; as well as an early work by Théodore Géricault, connected to his academic study of Rubensian models, with a price of €175,000.
The selection is further complemented by 16th-century Flemish works, late 19th-century Catalan painting, and 19th-century historical curiosities, forming an exceptional journey through key moments in the history of art.
With this sale, Templum Fine Art Auctions consolidates its position as one of the European auction houses with the strongest international projection, committed to works with clear provenance, solid documentation, and a high level of artistic quality.
Contact Details
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Templum Fine Art Auctions
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Hashtag: #TemplumFineArtAuctions
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Media OutReach
Transforming Knee Surgery: Columbia Asia Combines Expertise and Robotics for Better Outcomes
“Our knees are subjected to wear and tear over time due to aging, injuries, and repetitive stress,” said Dr Hazli Sufian, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon with Special Interest in Arthroplasty at Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau. “While HA injections can help relieve pain and improve mobility in early-stage osteoarthritis, advanced cases often require knee replacement surgery for long-term relief and function.”
Dr Hazli and his surgical team have replaced conventional techniques with the CORI® robotic-assisted system by Smith+Nephew, an advanced technology designed to enhance precision and personalise knee replacement procedures.
“The CORI® system allows surgeons to capture patient-specific anatomical data in real time, enabling more precise bone preparation and soft tissue balancing,” Dr Hazli explained. “This contributes to improved joint stability, better alignment, and more natural knee movement after surgery.”
Beyond surgical precision, robotic-assisted technology improves the overall patient experience. The personalised approach can lead to reduced tissue disruption, less post-operative pain, and lower risk of complications. Many patients also benefit from enhanced mobility, greater confidence in joint function, and a potentially faster return to daily activities and rehabilitation.
By tailoring each procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy, the CORI® system supports predictable outcomes and consistent surgical results, which are key to long-term patient satisfaction.
Dr James Chong, CEO of Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau, said the introduction of robotic-assisted knee replacement reflects the hospital’s commitment to advancing patient-centred care through innovation.
“Our investment in robotic-assisted surgery enhances not only surgical precision but also the overall patient journey—from pre-operative planning and intra-operative accuracy to post-operative recovery and rehabilitation,” he said. “This technology allows us to deliver high-quality outcomes while improving comfort, confidence, and experience for our patients.”
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About Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau
Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau is dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of the Johor community with compassion, professionalism, and clinical excellence. Equipped with advanced medical technology—including a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Mammography services, a 128-slice CT Scan, and a 1.5 Tesla MRI—the hospital delivers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities to support timely and accurate clinical decision-making.
The hospital offers a broad range of medical specialties, including Cardiology, Nephrology, Internal Medicine, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT), General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology (O&G), Respiratory Medicine, Orthopaedics, and Dermatology. A fully operational 24/7 Emergency Room, supported by on-call Emergency Physicians, ensures that patients receive immediate and appropriate care at any time of the day.
At the core of Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau’s philosophy is a strong commitment to personalized, patient-centred care—ensuring that every individual feels heard, supported, and well cared for throughout their healthcare journey.
Looking ahead over the next five years, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau will align its strategic direction with Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMK-13), with a focused emphasis on addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). In particular, the hospital will strengthen its efforts in obesity management through integrated, multidisciplinary care models encompassing prevention, early intervention, medical management, surgical intervention and long-term follow-up. This reflects a proactive approach to tackling one of the most pressing public health challenges affecting the Johor community.
In parallel, the hospital has advanced its surgical capabilities through the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery. This investment is aimed at enhancing surgical precision, improving clinical outcomes, reducing recovery times, and elevating overall patient experience, in line with global best practices.
To meet the growing healthcare demands of Johor, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau is also planning for future expansion, including the addition of more inpatient beds. This expansion will enable the hospital to better serve the increasing needs of the community while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and accessibility in care delivery.
Through strategic alignment, technological advancement, and capacity expansion, Columbia Asia Hospital Tebrau remains committed to supporting the long-term health and well-being of the Johorean population.
About Columbia Asia
For 30 years, Columbia Asia Group of hospitals has been at the forefront of quality healthcare in the private healthcare industry. Established in 1996, it has evolved from its first hospital in Shah Alam to its latest in Penang, to date. As an international healthcare provider, its services span across 19 hospitals in the region; 13 in Malaysia, five in Indonesia, and one in Vietnam. Through the years, the company strategy has always been about making private healthcare accessible to all, hence its hospitals are strategically located in densely populated areas. Under the umbrella of private healthcare company, Asia OneHealthcare, the Columbia Asia group has expanded its reach to bring not just world-class, but also effective healthcare, closer to home.
Through the years, Columbia Asia’s emphasis has consistently been about early detection of diseases. This is carried out by way of advanced technology for precise diagnostics, resulting in minimally invasive procedures. To fulfil the typical healthcare needs of communities, Columbia Asia offers core disciplines such as obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and general surgery. Today, it also provides tertiary healthcare addressing more complex fields of medicine such as neurosurgery, cardiac disease treatments, and integrated cancer care.
As it approaches a new decade, Columbia Asia continues to expand; adopting cutting-edge technology to meet the ever-increasing needs of today’s discerning customers. Upholding strict clinical governance, medical ethics and acknowledged by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health, Columbia Asia continues to deliver excellent patient outcomes in a safe and trusted environment.
Columbia Asia. Right Here For You.
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