Repatriation of One Million Japanese via Huludao(Photo Album ) Between 1932 and 1936, Japan sent five groups of armed immigrants to Northeast China to establish Japanese agricultural settlements. By 1945, there were 1.3 million Japanese residing in Northeast China. Prior to its surrender, the Japanese government adopted the policy of abandonment. It encouraged Japanese expatriates to commit suicide and killed some infants. After its victory in World War II China established an office in Jinzhou to repatriate Japanese residents in the region.