Japan's extreme emperor sect met its demise: government overthrow
Article Title: Reflecting on Japan's Surrender in World War II: A Look Back at Hiroo Onoda and the Enduring Impact of War
As the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II approaches, the nation reflects on its past, grappling with the complexities of its history and the lasting effects of war. One of the most intriguing stories from this period is that of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who continued to fight for twenty-nine years after the war's end.
Hiroo Onoda, a solitary soldier stationed on the Philippine island of Lubang, remained loyal to his orders and believed the war was ongoing until his former commanding officer was brought from Japan to formally relieve him of duty in 1974[1][4][5]. Onoda's unwavering loyalty and military discipline, even in the face of the war's end, made global headlines and continues to be widely discussed today.
Onoda's guerrilla operations during his nearly 30 years on Lubang Island caused violence and unrest among the local Filipino population, including the killing of dozens of indigenous Filipinos. His activities were part of sabotage and resistance against American and Philippine forces during and after the war[1][4].
In contrast to Onoda's prolonged wartime loyalty, the Japanese Emperor Hirohito and his military leadership promoted calls for perseverance despite devastating defeats and civilian casualties. The Emperor's stance changed due to the refusal of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet Union's entry into the war, and the fear of Soviet administration of Japan and the dissolution of the empire[6].
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe acknowledged the war in 2015 before the U.S. Congress, but faced criticism for failing to apologize to surviving Korean comfort women and for his revisionist views[3]. Abe is not alone in facing criticism; certain conservative politicians have been criticized for drawing a line under the past and suppressing certain topics, such as the role of Korean forced laborers during the war[7].
Reconciliation efforts with China and South Korea have been made since the 1960s, but there is still little public remembrance culture in Japan. Historian Saaler compares the remembrance and reckoning process in Japan to that in Germany, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing war and colonial rule in schoolbooks and public discourse[8].
The focus on August 15 national memorial day in Tokyo remains primarily on remembering Japanese victims, with little public dissent due to the emperor cult, where criticizing the army was tantamount to criticizing the Emperor[6]. No official commemorative address by the Japanese Prime Minister is planned for the 80th anniversary of the surrender.
Despite these challenges, efforts have been made to address war and colonial rule in schoolbooks since the 1990s. However, some atrocities, such as the story of 'Unit 731', are still omitted, according to Saaler[8]. As Japan reflects on its past, it is crucial to confront the complexities of its history and strive for a more comprehensive understanding of the war's impact.
References: 1. BBC News 2. The Guardian 3. The Japan Times 4. History.com 5. The New York Times 6. PBS 7. The Diplomat 8. The Japan Times
- The global news circles continue to discuss the intriguing story of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese solider who remained loyal to his orders during World War II, long after the war's end, even though his actions caused violence and unrest in the Philippines.
- The enduring impact of World War II on Japan's politics is evident in discussions about reconciliation with China and South Korea, and in efforts to address the war's atrocities, such as the omission of the story of 'Unit 731', in schoolbooks.
