Since the Allies quickly developed defense tactics while the Japanese repeatedly used the same methods, the success rate of the kamikaze was not extremely high. Despite this, the kamikaze were the primary component of the Japanese war strategy. 

Although the suicide pilots were not very successful in terms of casualties, they did have a significant psychological effect on American soldiers. Around-the-clock patrolling and the threat of kamikaze attacks caused paranoia and physical exhaustion among crew members. More importantly, the fact that the Japanese were so determined and so willing to die for their country unnerved many Americans.