Mutsuhiro Watanabe – nicknamed "the Bird" by his prisoners – was a known war criminal and Imperial Japanese Army soldier in World War II, who served in a number of military internment camps.

What happened to Watanabe?

In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur included Watanabe as number 23 on his list of the 40 most wanted war criminals in Japan. However, Watanabe went into hiding and was never prosecuted. In 1952, all charges were dropped. ... Watanabe died in April 2003.

When did the bird from unbroken die?

When Louie tries to meet with him as part of a role in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, the Bird refuses. At this time, Louie sends him a note stating his forgiveness but never knows if he receives it. The Bird dies in 2003.