From Japanese soldier to Chinese hero

Hirosumi Kobayashi was thrilled to showoff his invitation to the ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45), which will be held in Beijing on Sept 3.

The 96-year-old veteran, who arrived in China as an enemy soldier more than 70 years ago, ended up fighting for the country.

Born in 1919, Kobayashi was the son of Buddhist abbot in Gunma prefecture, Japan. Monks in Japan are allowed to marry and have children, and sons often follow in their father's footsteps, so after graduating from high school in 1939, Kobayashi planned to become a monk and take over his father's position, and also to train as a lawyer.