Mutsuhiro Watanabe
War Criminals

Mutsuhiro Watanabe Net Worth

Mutsuhiro Watanabe was an Imperial Japanese Army corporal during World War II who served at POW camps in Japan. He was later classified as a war criminal for his mistreatment of POWs, and his cruelty was portrayed in many books and films. He was born into a wealthy family and had a privileged upbringing, with an adoring mother and siblings. He was known as "Mu-cchan" to his relatives and "the Bird" to everyone else. His character was portrayed by Japanese singer/actor Miyavi in the Angelina Jolie-directed film 'Unbroken'.
Mutsuhiro Watanabe is a member of War Criminals

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Imperial Japanese Army Corporal
Birth Day January 01, 1918
Birth Place Japan, Japanese
Age 102 YEARS OLD
Died On 1 April 2003(2003-04-01) (aged 85)
Birth Sign Aquarius
Allegiance Imperial Japanese Army
Years of service 1941?–1945
Rank Last rank - Sergeant
Battles/wars World War II

💰 Net worth

Mutsuhiro Watanabe, also known as "The Bird," was a notorious figure in World War II, serving as an Imperial Japanese Army Corporal. Despite his infamous reputation for his brutal treatment of POWs, his net worth is estimated to be between $100K - $1M in 2024. The precise calculation of his net worth is quite challenging since most of his wealth is believed to be accumulated through undisclosed means. Nevertheless, it is evident that Watanabe has managed to amass a significant fortune over the years, highlighting the complex nature of his background and financial endeavors.

Biography/Timeline

1945

In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur included Watanabe as number 23 on his list of the 40 most wanted war Criminals in Japan.

1952

However, Watanabe went into hiding and was never prosecuted. In 1952, all charges were dropped. In 1956, the Japanese literary magazine Bungeishunjū published an interview with Watanabe entitled "I do not want to be judged by America." He later became an insurance salesman, and grew wealthy.

1998

Prior to the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, the CBS News program 60 Minutes interviewed Watanabe at the Hotel Okura in Tokyo as part of a feature on Louis Zamperini who, four days before his 81st birthday, was returning to carry the Olympic Flame torch through Naoetsu en route to Nagano, not far from the POW camp where he had been held. In the interview, Watanabe acknowledged beating and kicking prisoners, but was unrepentant, saying, "I treated the prisoners strictly as enemies of Japan." Zamperini attempted to meet with his chief and most brutal tormentor, but Watanabe, who had evaded prosecution as a war Criminal, refused to see him.

2010

Recounts of Watanabe's abusive behavior are told in Laura Hillenbrand's book about Zamperini titled Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (2010). Watanabe also appears in Dr. Alfred A. Weinstein's memoir, Barbed Wire Surgeon, published in 1948. In 2014, Japanese musician Miyavi played Watanabe in Angelina Jolie's Unbroken, the film adaptation of Hillenbrand's book.

Some Mutsuhiro Watanabe images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.