OLD soldiers are turning to JAPAN in a modern-day battle to raise cash for a regimental museum. Just days after PoWs turned their backs on Japanese Emperor Akihito during his controversial state visit to Britain, Lancashire Fusiliers want backing from the Far East to bolster their bid for a base in Bury celebrating their history. Today a letter was due to be posted to the Japanese ambassador in London urging cash and support from Tokyo for the £750,000 project.

Fusiliers also hope any backing will lead to big business, including giant Japanese companies, donating money to the appeal.

Today Major John Hallam, Lancashire area regimental secretary, admitted he would face criticism from some ex-servicemen, but added "it was time to move on".

"There is no way I can ever condone what went on during the Second World War," he said. "Lots of Lancashire Fusiliers suffered very badly at the hands of the Japanese, but we have to move on."

Captain William Harris, chairman of Bolton Far East PoW Association, today refused to condemn the fusiliers, but warned many local ex-PoWs would be angered by their move.

"Speaking personally, I think it's up to them if they want Japanese help," he said. "You have to move on in many ways because you can't hold the present Japanese generation to opprobrium for what their ancestors did."

But ex-PoW Captain Harris warned that the wartime barbarism of the Japanese was so great that many prison camp survivors would always hate anything associated with the Far East.

He said: "Don't ask us to forgive and forget because the cruelty of the Japanese and Koreans was beyond belief."

Fusilier fund-raisers, who want a state-of-the-art museum at Castle Armoury, Castle Square, Bury, decided to make their appeal because of strong historical links with Japan.

The regiment was one of the first to enter Japan in 1861 when the Army moved in to protect British interests from hostile samurai warriors.

Ten years later, fusilier bandsman William Fenton joined Japan's Imperial Army and composed the music which still provides the basis of the Japanese national anthem.

Modern-day Lancashire Fusiliers, currently based in Wellington Barracks, Bury, hope a new museum in Bury town centre will attract high visitor numbers to secure the long-term future of the regimental association.

Traditional displays of weapons, uniforms and medals are planned alongside state-of-the-art computers and information screens relating the history of Britain and the entire Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

Last week PoWs, who have never received a full apology from Japan, protested by turning their backs during Emperor Akihito's carriage drive down The Mall in London with the Queen.

They also slammed a decision to award the Emperor the Order of the Garter - Britain's highest award for chivalry.

Today some ex-servicemen expressed "outrage" at the fusiliers' decision.

Jim Smith, 80, who suffered Japanese wartime cruelty for three-and-a-half years, said it was "all wrong" that the regiment should go "cap in hand" to the Japanese.

Mr Smith, of Horwich, who served in the 5th Loyals and spent time in horrific prison camp conditions, said: "I had a brother-in-law who served in the fusiliers and was killed in Burma.

"He had three young children. There were other pals who were fusiliers who died. They should never be forgotten."

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