Gao Wenbin facts for kids

Gao Wenbin (Chinese: 高文彬) was a talented Chinese historian, translator, and university professor. He was also a legal expert, known as a jurist. He was the very last person alive who had been part of the Chinese team at the Tokyo Trial. This important trial looked into the Japanese war crimes that happened during World War II.

Early Life and Education

Gao Wenbin studied law, focusing on the legal systems used in English-speaking countries. He finished his studies at Soochow University (Suzhou) in 1945. This was right after Japan surrendered, which finally brought World War II to an end.

Role in the Tokyo Trial

After World War II finished, a special court called the International Military Tribunal for the Far East was set up. This court was created to investigate war crimes. The Chinese prosecutor, Xiang Zhejun, needed people to translate many important documents. These documents were about Japan's actions in China and were written in Chinese.

Gao Wenbin's teacher, Liu Shifang, was a well-known lawyer. He suggested Gao Wenbin for the translation job. Gao Wenbin passed a test given by Xiang Zhejun and was hired as a translator.

Because he was very good at English and Japanese, and understood law well, Gao Wenbin became an important member of the Chinese team at the Tokyo Trial in 1946. His job was to gather information and evidence about the Second Sino-Japanese War. He also worked as a secretary for Xiang Zhejun, helping him translate many documents.

Later Career and Teaching

In 1952, Gao Wenbin faced some difficulties. He was held for a period of time. Before this, he had worked for the Foreign Affairs Department in Shanghai.

Later, in 1985, he joined a group called the China Democratic League. In the 1990s, he was invited to teach at universities in the United States. He gave lectures at the University of Maine School of Law and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He also taught special types of law, like maritime law (laws about the sea) and international law (laws between countries), at the Shanghai Maritime University.

Death

Gao Wenbin passed away on September 7, 2020, in Shanghai, China. He was 99 years old and had been ill for some time. He was remembered as the last person who had personally witnessed the important Tokyo Trial.

See also

In Spanish: Gao Wenbin para niños