It may seem strange to talk about Japanese dissidents before World War Two, since most of us were led to believe that everyone in Japan just blindly followed whatever the Emperor or the government dictated. But, there were quite a few people who opposed the government policies and its aggression abroad, dating back to the days of Emperor Meiji! Despite the Japanese cultural tendencies to fall in line, to obey the authority, there were quite a few independent thinkers who objected to Japan's militarism and aggression against other nations.
Japan's first major adventure abroad in the 20th Century was the short Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Although many Japanese were literally ecstatic with Japan's victory, many others were not! When a victory parade was held in Tokyo and General Nogi, who led the Japanese in that war, rode his white stallion down the street, there were people in the crowd who pelted him with rotten vegetables and shouted curses at him. Japan, despite its victory, had lost a lot men, and many in Japan felt it was not worth it. Women lined the streets and shouted at Nogi, "Where is my son? What have you done with my son? Murderer! Bring him back!" Of course the press did not elaborate on the demonstrations, those reporters who did, ended up in jail! So, despite what we were told by our own propaganda machine, all Japanese were not wild-eyed war mongers eagerly going to their death at the Emperor's or their commanding officer's orders!
It may seem still stranger to identify one of the prominent dissidents to Japan's policies as the famous architect of the Pearl Harbor attack, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. Yamamoto, born Isoroku Takano, lost both of his parents at an early age and was adopted by the Yamamoto family. Early on he showed a brilliant mind for military strategy and entered the Imperial Naval Academy at age 16. Upon graduation he was assigned to a Japanese warship that engaged the Russian fleet during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. He saw combat early on, in fact was wounded and lost two fingers in the naval battle at Tsushima Straits. His career advanced rapidly and as a young Commander he was sent to Harvard for two years to study. He returned and was promoted to Captain and assigned for two years as Japan's Naval Attache in Washington DC. So, he was not only fluent in English but had a very good understanding of America. His anti-government policy sentiments surfaced during this time and many in the government began to think about getting rid of him.
In 1937, at the height of Japan's belligerent and aggressive attitude in Asian, the Japanese sank the American gun boat USS Panay. While the Japanese government refused to admit responsibility for the act, Yamamoto, on his own, made a public apology to America by denouncing his own country's act!
He was lucky that the Minister of Navy was a good friend and liked him. The Minister saved Yamamoto by quickly assigning him to sea duty to an aircraft carrier. The Minister later admitted that he was saving Yamamoto's life, not just his career! Yamamoto dodged a bullet that time. By the time Japan decided to attack the United States, Pearl Harbor specifically, the only officer they had who had familiarity with America was Yamamoto. Of course there were others who studied in America and spoke English, but no one had the combination of military knowledge and intimate knowledge of American way of thinking. So, he was picked to draw up plans for the attack.
Yamamoto was reluctant at first, but then agreed to plan the attack. By then he had also become one of the highest ranking Naval Officers in Japan. After drawing up the plans, Yamamoto told the Minister of Navy and the Prime Minister that the only chance Japan had was if the war was concluded within six months. He said that if the attack on Pearl Harbor destroyed America's Pacific Fleet perhaps America would agree to peace, then perhaps there was a chance of coming out of this adventure ahead. Otherwise, he said, it would be a catastrophe for Japan. This remark almost cost him his career and life again! When the war did not conclude after six months, Yamamoto, it is said, told his close friends in private that the only chance now was to sue for peace or surrender on favorable terms! Of course Yamamoto was killed, shot down by a squadron of P-38s, so at least he never saw Japan's humiliating defeat and unconditional surrender.
Oddly enough, Yamamoto was anti-war and anti-Japanese policies, despite his high rank and fame. He was truly an independent thinker, a great mind. Too bad his life had to end the way it did. But then, perhaps it was better than a humiliating surrender and more than likely hanging as a war criminal!
No comments:
Post a Comment