25/08/2026
The Indian Whom Japan Reveres, But Most Indians Have Never Heard Of
In Tokyo, Japan, there is a statue of an Indian. Japanese students learn about him in their schools. Yet, sadly, most Indians do not even know his name.
This is the story of Justice Dr. Radhabinod Pal. a man who stood for justice when the entire world chose a different path.
The date was November 12, 1948. The Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal* was hearing the cases of Japanese leaders, including former Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, following Japan's defeat in World War II. Twenty-eight defendants had been classified as Class-A war criminals, and if found guilty, the punishment could only be death.
Eleven judges from different countries sat on the tribunal. Ten judges agreed that the accused were guilty.
Then came one powerful dissenting voice:
"Not Guilty."
That voice belonged to an Indian judge—Justice Radhabinod Pal.
Born on January 27, 1886, in what is now Bangladesh, Pal came from a humble background. His mother supported the family by managing their home and cattle. As a young boy, he often sat outside a village school while grazing cows, listening to lessons through the classroom window.
One day, during a school inspection, when students could not answer the inspector's questions, a voice came from outside the window.
"I know the answers."
The inspector was astonished as the boy answered every question correctly.
"Which class do you study in?" he asked.
The boy replied, "I do not study here. I am grazing cows."
Impressed by his brilliance, the inspector arranged for his admission and scholarship. Thus began the educational journey of Radhabinod Pal.
He later topped his district, studied at Presidency College, earned an M.Sc. in Mathematics, pursued law, and eventually obtained a doctorate. He once remarked:
"Law and Mathematics are not as different as they seem."
Years later, at the Tokyo Tribunal, Justice Pal submitted a monumental 1,235-page judgment. He argued that international law should be applied impartially and that the victorious Allied powers could not be exempt from scrutiny. He questioned actions such as the atomic bombings and maintained that the tribunal was applying justice selectively.
Although his opinion remained a dissent, it became one of the most discussed legal opinions in the history of international law.
Japan never forgot him.
In 1966, Emperor Hirohito awarded him one of Japan's highest civilian honors. Memorials and statues dedicated to him exist in Japan, including one at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. His legal writings and judgments continue to be studied, and he remains a respected figure in Japan's legal and historical circles.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe also expressed admiration for Justice Pal and met members of his family during a visit to India.
Despite receiving immense respect abroad, Justice Radhabinod Pal remains largely unknown in his own country.
He was a scholar, jurist, author, and a fearless defender of independent thought. Whether one agrees with his judgment or not, his courage to stand alone against overwhelming global opinion remains extraordinary.
Do you think Justice Radhabinod Pal deserves greater recognition in India, perhaps even the Bharat Ratna?
