The book, entitled Escaping with North Korean Defectors, relates his experiences in China as he helped North Korean refugees escape to freedom.
Noguchi was eventually arrested, tried and imprisoned for his humanitarian work. After serving 8 months of a 5 year sentence, he was expelled from China. Now, with the release of this book (in Japanese only), Noguchi draws aside the veil of secrecy that had kept this true story from being told.
Links to the Original Story
China Jails Another Japanese Aid Worker
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
For Press Conference Jan. 13, 2004
Mr. Takayuki Noguchi (32), a member of the Japanese NGO Life Funds for North Korean Refugees (LFNKR), disappeared on December 10, 2003 while in China. The LFNKR home office has not heard from Noguchi since Dec. 10, following a routine check-in phone call on that date from Guilin, Guangxi in China at 11:45 AM (Japan time).
China May Try LFNKR Worker Takayuki Noguchi
On March 19, Mainichi Newspaper reported that Chinese prosecutors have decided to try Takayuki Noguchi, age 32, a member of our NGO, who was arrested with two Japan-born North Korean refugees in Nanning on December 10, 2003.
Chinese Prison Holding Noguchi
Japanese Lawmaker, Masaharu Nakagawa was refused permission to meet with Noguchi during his trip to the prison in Nanning. He was allowed, however, to take photos of the buildings.
China to Prosecute Japanese Humanitarian Noguchi
On the 118th day following his arrest, charges were filed against Noguchi at the intermediate people's court in Nanning, China on April 5, 2004.
Noguchi May Face Hurry-Up Trial in China
Takayuki Noguchi, the Japanese aid worker arrested by China last December, will be tried in early May, according to reports by Yomiuri Shimbun, the leading Japanese newspaper, in a 2 May, 2004 article by Hong Kong based reporter Yasuharu Seki.
Noguchi's Closed-Door Trial Held on a Sunday
The trial of Takayuki Noguchi, the Japanese aid worker arrested by China last December, was convened at 9:00AM Sunday, 9 May 2004, China time in Chong Zuo Intermediate People's Court. The time seemed deliberately chosen to minimize public attention. Noguchi was technically given an "open trial," but...
Noguchi Sentenced to 8 Months in Jail
Noguchi was charged with one count of illegally transporting people with the intent of crossing the border (Article 321 of the Chinese Domestic Criminal Code) and an additional count of attempting to assist in illegally crossing the border (Article 61). He was sentenced to 8 months in prison and fined 20,000 RMB (about US$2,778).
Mother Allowed to See Noguchi in Jail
Thanks to the intervention of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Noguchi's mother and one of his aunts were allowed to visit him briefly in Nanning.
Takayuki Noguchi Returns From Chinese Prison
At approximately 9:00 PM on 9th August, Takayuki Noguchi walked through the arrival gate at Narita Airport, after having served an 8-month prison sentence for attempting to assist two Japan-born North Korean refugees.
