Japan WWII soldier who hid in jungle until 1974 dies

[kingofthedemo]

This is an incredible story! I never heard about this guy until today, pretty remarkable stuff!

Japan WWII soldier who hid in jungle until 1974 dies: http://news.yahoo.com/japan-wwii-sol...091014526.html

[KingOfJericho]

I read about him a few years ago. Really goes to show what type of brainwashing these guys were subjected to. After maybe the first month of no gunfire, wouldn't you be like "hey, I guess it's over..." Well not this guy. 29 years of killing local Filipinos and he's a celebreity. Don't really know how I feel about that one...

[PINeely]

When this guy's commander showed up in person to rescind the orders and told him that the war had ended 29 years earlier, what do you suppose the conversation went like? Did he not believe him at first? Was he just sad that Japan had lost?

"It's over, man. Game over."
"IMPOSSIBRUUUU"
"No really, it has been for 29 years. You're just a terrorist at this point."
"..."
"What were you thinking?"
"Some batters you must fight arone..."

[templarklimek]

Originally Posted by PINeely

When this guy's commander showed up in person to rescind the orders and told him that the war had ended 29 years earlier, what do you suppose the conversation went like? Did he not believe him at first? Was he just sad that Japan had lost?

"It's over, man. Game over."
"IMPOSSIBRUUUU"
"No really, it has been for 29 years. You're just a terrorist at this point."
"..."
"What were you thinking?"
"Some batters you must fight arone..."

[kingofthedemo]

Originally Posted by PINeely

When this guy's commander showed up in person to rescind the orders and told him that the war had ended 29 years earlier, what do you suppose the conversation went like? Did he not believe him at first? Was he just sad that Japan had lost?

"It's over, man. Game over."
"IMPOSSIBRUUUU"
"No really, it has been for 29 years. You're just a terrorist at this point."
"..."
"What were you thinking?"
"Some batters you must fight arone..."

Haha yeah, I can only imagine..

[kingofthedemo]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I read about him a few years ago. Really goes to show what type of brainwashing these guys were subjected to. After maybe the first month of no gunfire, wouldn't you be like "hey, I guess it's over..." Well not this guy. 29 years of killing local Filipinos and he's a celebreity. Don't really know how I feel about that one...

I know it's pretty strange, I wonder if he just killed random civilians or what?

[GeeRam]

I'm old enough to remember all the news bulletins on TV/newspapers back in the early 70's when he finally 'surrendered'.....
It was a big topic of conversation in my family as an uncle of mine had fought the Japanese in the Burma campaign.

Coincidently, that uncle only died last month.

[omgitsjoe]

Originally Posted by kingofthedemo

I know it's pretty strange, I wonder if he just killed random civilians or what?

I can understanding doing what needs to be done during war as your duty as a soldier ................ but if its not wartime wasnt this just plain murder IMHO ??

[ska///235i]

is brainwash since childhood...nothing to be proud about just like the Nazi

[Who?]

Originally Posted by ska325xi

is brainwash since childhood...nothing to be proud about just like the Nazi

yeah, i fail to see why he's so celebrated??

[Nate4641]

Originally Posted by SJ00

yeah, i fail to see why he's so celebrated??

He may have been the enemy, but its his level of dedication that was so amazing. He could have given up at any point in that time, but he survived and continued his fight.

[Who?]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

He may have been the enemy, but its his level of dedication that was so amazing. He could have given up at any point in that time, but he survived and continued his fight.

as a brainwashed terrorist? isn't acknowledging his triumph an insult to these that suffered in the hands of the japanese during ww2?

[Nate4641]

Originally Posted by SJ00

as a brainwashed terrorist? isn't acknowledging his triumph an insult to these that suffered in the hands of the japanese during ww2?

Acknowledging the triumph of anyone participating in a war is an insult to those who were killed on the other side. Imagine being a Japanese soldier or the descendant of one and hearing stories of John Basilone.

[ska///235i]

dedication, triumph?? dude you need study the history about the war and respect those that sacrificed and die from these cowards

[ska///235i]

stop talking, you make yourself sound stupid

[Lute__]

Originally Posted by Dashmann

I am not talking, I am typing.

[grimlock]

F the japanese - j/k

[Who?]

Originally Posted by Dashmann

Really? I have studied WWII in great depth, have you?

You consider those willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause cowards. One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist. I suspect its always been that way.

what a stupid sentiment.

ok, bin ladin was a freedom fighter, maybe i should respect him too? who gives a shit that he killed 3000+ americans, he did it for a cause, and that makes it acceptable. I'm sure no american will be pissed if i pay tribute to bin ladin

if you know an ounce of history, you'll find that this 'war hero' is no different to the terrorist that piloted the 9/11 planes.

this case is offensive because Japan was in the wrong, in terms of human rights and did horrible things to the citizens of the victims. Japan acknowledged it and apologised in some cases. to celebrate a soldier brainwashed in these ideals is just offensive to these affected, and is contradicting to their acknowledgement in wrong doings.

[kingofthedemo]

Originally Posted by SJ00

if you know an ounce of history, you'll find that this 'war hero' is no different to the terrorist that piloted the 9/11 planes.
.

I wouldn't go that far, there is quite a disparity, between an individual that happens to be born in a country that opposes the USA in a war, and may have been drafted into military service during wartime. VS. a terrorist like the ones involved in 911 who were voluntary participants, in a plot to launch an unprovoked attack on civilians.

I have a lot more respect for the WW2 era Japanese, than the current day Islamic radicals. You have to remember that a lot of these guys were just average people who happened to be born in Japan, and were drafted into their countries military. Their courage not to surrender, and to persevere was impressive, and I think that most modern military men would agree with that sentiment. There can be a mutual respect among opponents. With that being said their cause was obviously not justifiable, that's not what I'm saying!

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Nate4641

He may have been the enemy, but its his level of dedication that was so amazing. He could have given up at any point in that time, but he survived and continued his fight.

I'm with you and don't see what's so difficult to understand.

No one celebrates the fact that he killed people outside of a war time environment. But rather celebrate the level of dedicated service to his country. They celebrate his patriotism, nothing else.

People should try to expand their perspective.

That said, the natives who were affected by this man's actions have every right to oppose his return visit and denounce his actions. The flip side of that is that the Japanese people view him as having tremendous love, respect and loyalty to his country and his emperor.

[Nate4641]

Originally Posted by SJ00

if you know an ounce of history, you'll find that this 'war hero' is no different to the terrorist that piloted the 9/11 planes.

If you knew how to read a dictionary you would know you're wrong. What this Japanese soldier did was not Terrorism. To save time;

Originally Posted by Dictionary

terrorism |ˈterəˌrizəm|
noun
the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

The more detailed definition is that a terrorist will commit an act of violence to sway the actions of their enemy and government based on an ideological cause. What the solider was doing was participate in a war he didn't know had ended.

The people who were involved with the 9/11 attacks were terrorism because it wasn't part of a way and it was a strike that was designed to strike terror into the enemy (The US) and was based on an idealogical motive, not war. The Taliban are terrorists because they not only attack foreign troops in Afghanistan, they also attack local Afghans to make the Afghans scared and reject the presence of foreign troops. Their reason behind the attacks are ideological, not because there are foreign troops in their country, which many Talibs are actually Pakistani.

The solider was there because of a war and thats why he continued to fight. He didn't attack the locals because he hated what they stood for or anything, but because for all he knew they were still his enemy.

You also have to commend the man for keeping his rifle in perfect working order after all those years. Thats something some of our current military can't even get right. Just ask Jessica Lynch what happens when you neglect your rifle and the day turns sour.

[ska///235i]

Have any of you hear of the Nanking massacre and the war crimes japanese soldiers committed? They were the nazis of asia.

I have seen documentary films and heard stories from my grandmother. For you guys to respect a soldier of this level is just unbelievable. The chinese may not suffer as much as the jews did, but the facts are there and will never be forgotten.