The history of the development of the natural resources of Aschysai, which the Moscow center paid special attention to, was considered one-sided in Soviet historiography. Its light and shadow sides still need to be fully explored. The means of historical and anthropological research in modern historical science allow a comprehensive and objective study of this problem. The article describes the working days of the Japanese in the prisoner of war camp No. 348 of the NKVD - (MVD) of the USSR, created in Aschysai in 1945. Japanese prisoners of war performed the hardest work on the mines of the Aschysai polymetallic combine, agriculture in Turkestan, as well as cultural construction of the region (construction of buildings, industrial enterprises, construction of workers ' settlements). Some of the buildings from which they were built, still serve the people. The article also analyzes the memoirs of children of Polish citizens who were deported in revealing the content of this problem.

The study used documents from the archives of the Department of internal Affairs of Kazakhstan in Shymkent, rgae, TSGA RK, Fund the ASMC and the materials of field expeditions (interviews with local residents) in rural communities Ashchysay, Kentau, Bayuldur, etc. the History of camp No. 348 and everyday life of the Japanese prisoners has not previously been the subject of special studies. Accordingly, documentary materials are introduced into scientific circulation here for the first time.