The bronze statue of Kunio Maruyama (father of Paul Maruyama, previous president of JASSC) was unveiled on July 10, 2021 in Iiyama City, Nagano. This statue is to honor him and his leadership for his heroic actions to bring about the repatriation of over 1.7 million Japanese civilians trapped under brutal Soviet Forces occupation in Manchuria at the end of World War II. Read his heroic accounts in detail in Paul's book, "Escape from Manchuria".

In a very brief summary, Kunio and his two companions (Shinpo Hachiro and Musashi Masamichi) informed General Douglas MacArthur (the then-Supreme Commander of Allied Forces) of the dire situation of all Japanese civilians in Manchuria. Thanks to his English ability, he was able to convey to General MacArthur what was happening in Manchuria, and MacArthur soon dispatched U.S. military vessels to a port in China (Huludao) to bring about the evacuation to Japan of the helpless Japanese civilians out of Manchuria. Paul and his family (his mother and three siblings) were finally able to return to Japan in January of 1947 on one of the evacuation ships. Kunio was waiting for them at the Port of Sasebo in Kyushu, Japan, where they were happily reunited.

Unfortunately, due to the Pandemic, only Marianne, one of Paul's sisters was able to represent the family at the unveiling ceremony.

For those of you that might be able to visit Japan, please visit the statue of Kunio Maruyama. It is in front of the Iiyama Station (which is a stop for the Bullet Train) in Nagano Prefecture.