JapaneseLeaders
"Bear in mind that duty is weightier than a mountain, while death is lighter than a feather.”
Japanese Propoganda
Takijiro Onishi
In October of 1944, Vice Admiral Takijiro Onishi took command of Japan’s First Air Fleet in the Philippines. Fearing that “Japan [was] in grave danger,” he proposed starting a group of suicide pilots, or kamikazes, which he believed was the only way to stop the Allies. When the Emperor announced his decision to surrender on August 16, 1945, Onishi was devastated, knowing that the sacrifices of the special attack pilots were in vain. In his suicide note, he said wished to “atone for my part in the failure...and apologize to the souls of those dead fliers and their bereaved families.” He chose to suffer fifteen hours before dying to repay the debt of sending off so many bright young men to their doom.
Motoharu Okamura
While Takijiro Onishi was the official founder of the kamikaze air force, Captain Motoharu Okamura was the first to propose the idea, famously saying that there would be more than enough volunteers for the operation. He boldly stated: “Provide me with 300 planes and I will turn the tide of war.” In 1944, Okamura was assigned to command a kamikaze group. He commonly referred to the staggering amount of volunteers as “a swarm of bees,” explaining “bees die after they have stung.” When Japan surrendered, his guilt drove him to shoot himself in the face.
Matome Ugaki
Admiral Matome Ugaki is remembered as one of the last kamikaze. When the Emperor made the decision to surrender, Ugaki felt he alone was responsible for the failure of his aviators, and ultimately, that of Japan. Having not technically received an official cease fire order, Ugaki opted to fly one last mission to show the true Japanese warrior spirit (“bushido”). Only three aircraft were prepared for this final mission, but eleven other men volunteered to fly with him. In the photo, he is seen posing before heading off to his death.