There was a Japanese soldier in World War II who had no confidence that Japan would surrender.
But whosoever came to be persuaded, he used it as a ‘United States scheming’.
Because he always believed:
Japan will never surrender! The Imperial Army will fight back!
With that conviction, he hid in the forest of the mountains of the Philippines and fought in guerrilla warfare for nearly 30 years…
(1)
In 1955, for the first time, the Philippines distributed “diffusion leaflets” on various islands.
During the Second World War, this was one of the most important battlefields for the Japanese and United States forces.
Ten years after the end of the war, the Japanese army remains in the Philippines.
Like on Lupin Island.
One day, a flyer, “Back” came across a man’s face.
In his old Japanese uniform, he was all dirty, but the whole man was so glamorous.
The man spread out the leaflets and found that it said:
Japan surrendered! The war is over!
Men look at these words and laugh.
Nothing new.
How could my empire surrender?
This U.S. military conspiracy is too easy to understand, right?
Thinking about it, the man ripped the flyer.
He was extremely confident in his judgment.
After all, it’s not the first time he’s learned a trick.
Hiroro Onoda.
The Japanese soldier is Kuro Onoda.
He said he was a soldier, not very strict, and he was already a lieutenant when he came to the island.
In November 1944, Lieutenant Onoda arrived on Lubun Island.
He was given the task:
The destruction of the local airport and port docks prevented the United States military from landing on the island.
Unfortunately, the mission failed.
As a result, the United States troops landed successfully, and the Japanese military holiday fell.
Onoda had to retreat into the jungle with the remaining troops.
How many of his remnants?
Count him in, four.
The other three are:
Zhu Long Island.
Onoda and his comrades.
Of these four, Onoda has the highest rank.
Naturally, he became the leader of the four.
When the United States troops landed, the four-person team first faced a problem:
Do you want to continue fighting?
Fight!
As the most loyal warrior of the great Japanese Empire, we must fight for the empire, even for the last breath!
That was the only belief on Onoda.
At this time, however, Japan’s fighting power has been exhausted by the United States military.
A year later (1945), the Emperor of Japan declared his unconditional surrender.
After that, the United States army sent Japanese troops to Lubong Island to persuade them to do so.
At the same time, the United States Air Force dropped a large volume of decomposition leaflets, which clearly states:
“The Emperor of Japan has surrendered! I’m sorry.
Even the most loyal warriors, who see this, may say only:
Why did His Majesty come first?
But Onoda is more loyal than the most loyal warrior.
Because his reaction was:
Impossible!
Japan cannot lose, the Emperor cannot surrender!
By this logic, Onoda immediately deduced:
Everything you see now is fake!
The goal of the U.S. Army is to lure us into surrender! We must not let them succeed!
As a result, three soldiers led by Onoda began guerrilla warfare.
They even set a clear military target:
Take control of Lubong Island and prepare for the royal counterattack!
So, what’s the first step to take control of the island?
Live.
In order to avoid United States military searches, they went into the jungle on the island.
The jungle has one advantage — more food.
Bananas, coconuts, boars, pandas, fish…
Onoda’s “four-person team” can only feed with the most primitive collection and hunting.
However, they need to be aware that they cannot shoot while hunting, but only with military knives.
Because the shooting will lead to the enemy.
At the same time, the vices of the jungle have been revealed — toxic snakes and rodents, everything.
Onoda was bitten by large ants, resulting in deafness in the left ear.
Another comrade, a ants bite, started a high fever.
When they sleep in the open, they must clean up the ground within a three-metre radius.
It’s not like it’s clean, it’s just to avoid the snake hiding.
Pictures of the film Onoda: Jungle Night
By the rainy season, they will also have to avoid freezing to death because of their hypothermia.
If it doesn’t feel like it’s going to make it, you can cut yourself with a military knife and you can stay awake with pain.
In addition to that, Onoda must also protect its weapons.
Why?
Of course, it’s in response to the Imperial Army’s counterattack!
Therefore, when heavy rains are pouring, they must protect their weapons with their bodies in order to prevent the tide of guns and ammunition.
In the rainy season, insects and low temperatures, the morale of the team was reduced to an ice point.
But every morning, Onoda will lead the team up to the top of the mountain and salute the sun!
He thought it was a way to boost morale.
But in such a state of affairs, people will soon be unable to bear it.
(2)
In 1949, the youngest and weakest soldier, Shinichi, left the unit.
He then surrendered to the Philippine police.
After surrendering, he finally realized the real world:
The war is over!
In 1951, he began boarding the island to persuade his former companions.
In the jungle, he shouted, “Onoda! The war is over! Come out and surrender!”
And Onoda?
Of course I heard the screams.
But he is still one of those two: Unbelief.
Akazu-kun had foreseen this early on.
Nor did he expect a single message to persuade Onoda.
Upon return, Akazu collected new newspapers in Japan and found Onoda ‘ s family, who wrote to Onoda.
In 1952, the Philippine Government distributed these newspapers and family books into the jungle.
In response, Onoda received it all.
So this time, he’s gonna believe it, right?
The result is still not believed.
The more intense it is, the more convinced it will be.
He has always held firm that:
It’s all American. It’s all acting!
If it was not for the fighting, why did they try so hard to lure me down?
An old soldier who surrendered?
That’s a traitor!
Those who have betrayed the empire cannot, of course, believe it.
A paper in black and white?
It’s all made up by Americans.
Home books?
It’s also fake. It’s easy to imitate.
In any case, Onoda will never be fooled!
Under this “conscience”, Onoda chose to continue his guerrillas and was prepared for long-term combat.
Not only do they pick wild fruit from trees, they also dry up their unexpired bananas for dry food.
In addition, they steal and rob.
Every late night, Onoda walks into the islanders ‘ homes and scrapes salt, rice, poultry, livestock and vegetables.
The unexploded beef shall be cut in thin slices and salted, then roasted one night with a small fire, and made of bacon that is not perishable.
To prevent parasites and bacteria, Onoda also provides that:
Don’t drink raw water.
Even if it’s hard, they’ll insist on burning up and drinking.
Only when the enemy pursues too closely will the choice be made to drink the water that is seep in the rock.
In order to maintain the few remaining guns, Onoda painted coconut oil on them.
In addition, he took his team to the beach to pick up empty bottles.
What are you doing?
Save the bullets.
Onoda loaded the bullet into a bottle, then sealed it with iron, and finally stored it in a snake hole on the cliff wall.
This allows the life of the bullet to be extended.
Pictures of the film Onoda: Jungle Night
After resolving a series of survival problems, the 3-person team intends to:
Fight again!
But now that the war is over, where will they find the enemy?
It’s hard not to lose Onoda.
Without the army, hit the police!
In 1953, Onoda and his two companions attacked the Philippine military police at night.
During this “war”, one of his men was seriously wounded and Onoda was shot in the finger.
In the eyes of Onoda, they have won a great victory!
Because they killed not only a few Philippine military police but also two guns!
In the presence of the enemy, three squads retreated.
Isn’t this a great victory?
When they retreated into the jungle, they took care of their injuries while avoiding the raids by the Philippine military police.
When the injuries were completed, they continued to attack the local military and police.
On May 7, 1955, the triads fought again against the Philippine police.
But this time, they’re not so lucky.
The wounded Shimada-Shoichi, who was in the middle of the battle, was “scattered”.
(3)
Soon the news of Shimada’s death came back to Japan.
The Japanese Government was shocked.
It has been 10 years since Japan surrendered.
Ten years, a whole decade.
At that time, Japan had emerged from the shadow of war, and industry had grown rapidly and had entered a period of high economic growth.
People wouldn’t even think that there were soldiers fighting for the Empire!
Japan Street 1955
In order to find our fellow citizens, the Japanese Government once again distributed leaflets in Lubong Island, the Philippines.
Even Onoda’s own brother came to the island.
He spoke to Onoda himself and told him: “The war is over! Come home with us!
Onoda heard.
But he said with tears: “No.”
If you’re a brother, why don’t you believe it?
Because he firmly believes:
That’s not my brother!
It’s just someone the Americans found who looks and sounds like my brother.
Conspiracy! It’s all a conspiracy!
Japanese Search
He therefore once again chose to ignore persuasion and was ready to continue his fight.
But at this time, there’s only one partner left in Onoda — Kim Siu.
In the face of this state of affairs, even the most heroic warriors of the empire felt:
It’s hard to control the whole island.
As a result, they chose to retreat and dug a bunker that the Air Force could not find.
In the bunkers, Onoda and Kazuka studied the leaflets, newspapers and family books carefully.
They even use spies to send code signals to decipher every word of the family book.
After combining its own world view, Onoda came to a final conclusion:
Japan itself has fallen and is completely under United States control.
But! In the northeast of China, there is a Japanese government in exile!
So we must also insist!
Just hold on a little longer! The reinforcements will come!
To receive real information from the outside world, Onoda even got a radio (stolen by the Islanders).
In order to enhance the radio signal, he also stole the copper wire and turned it into an antenna.
With this improved little radio, they heard British, American, Chinese, Korean, Japanese broadcasts.
However, in the face of the information explosion, Onoda still did not believe the fact that Japan had surrendered.
With “convinced conviction,” the world he heard was completely different.
Like the Korean War.
In their view, it was not China and the United States that were fighting, but Japan and the United States.
The Japanese are fighting back!
For example, I heard news of the Emperor’s marriage, the opening of a new trunk.
Onoda will think that Japan is doing fine!
The Empire is strong and invincible! It’s time to fight the Pacific.
In 1958, United States forces began to build a radar station on Lubun Island.
After Onoda saw it, everyone got high.
In his view of the world, the construction of radar stations meant that there was a war coming.
That’s the American army preparing to fight the enemy!
But in fact, Japan at this time is long gone.
The world had entered the cold war era, and the United States had built a radar station solely to contain the socialist camp.
But Onoda didn’t know that.
All he knows is:
We must do something for the Empire as a “cruise” inserted by Japanese troops inside the enemy!
In January 1959, Onoda and Osuka approached the radar station.
They shot the sentry and destroyed the radar station!
The Philippine Government immediately ordered that they be killed.
However, several sieges by the military and police did not result in injuries to Onoda and Osuka.
They won again.
This victory was won, and Onoda and Kazu became complacent in the jungle.
At the same time, the Government of Japan has again received information from the Philippines.
In May 1959, the fourth wave of Japan’s post-war search began.
This time, they not only distributed tens of thousands of leaflets, but even installed large speakers throughout the island.
In order to convince Onoda, the searchers had even worn Japanese military uniforms during World War II.
Onoda’s brother, Tsuki’s brother, and his former comrade, Zizu Yongichi, all arrived.
In such a big battle, General Onoda should believe it.
(4)
Letter, it’s impossible to believe.
Not only did he not move, but he also avoided.
Onoda and Kosaku continue to believe that the so-called “family” are merely doubles.
As for the family books, although they were true, they were written under the duress of the enemy.
No, I don’t.
In November 1959, six months of search in Japan ended in failure.
It is everyone ‘ s view that Ono-Da and Sakao have died in the jungle of Lubun Island.
On December 11, the Government of Japan issued the “Death Bulletin” of Hiroro Ono and Kim Siu.
The following day, Onoda ‘ s relatives held a funeral for him in their home town and in Hainan, Goshan County.
The family had no idea that the real Onoda was still alive.
He’s in the jungle of the Philippines and he’s always ready to fight for his country!
Movies
Life in the jungle is getting harder.
In addition to eating and drinking, clothing is becoming a problem.
In the first few years, Onoda will also sew military uniforms with tents.
But in the 1960s, the tents were no longer enough.
As a result, Onoda naturally chose to take away “war booty” from the “enemy.”
These include: American tents, military boots, towels, kettles, etc.
Onoda even likes the new nylons seized.
Because it’s not only comfortable, it’s waterproof and durable, it can be used for gunpowder!
As for the needles used for stitching, of course, it is difficult to defeat the soldiers of the Empire.
The needles, which are made of military iron wires, are made of tree-coated fibres.
In Onoda, everything under control.
He carried the deviant US troops, and kept alive.
Now, wait for the Imperial Army to attack Lubun Island!
In 1965, the war in Vietnam struck.
The United States bombing aircraft regularly passed the head of the field and flew north.
Oda, who has been waiting for so long, his eyes are bright.
Because in his eyes the war in Viet Nam was not a war between Viet Nam and the United States.
That’s right. This is definitely a Japanese counterattack!
Look! After more than a decade, the Japanese have fought back from North Korea to Vietnam!
Almost to the Philippines!
So, in the fall of the year, Onoda started a mad fight with Kosaku.
What’s “Wirth Fighting”?
In short, it’s burning straw.
Every fall, local Filipino farmers pile up straw after harvesting rice.
Onoda and Kazu used this time to scare the farmers away with gunfire and ignite the straw.
In their view, such an operation would achieve two objectives:
First, intimidation of the local population and the police;
Secondly, the Philippine police were forced to notify the United States military.
Onoda firmly believed that the information between the Philippine police and the United States forces would certainly be intercepted by the Imperial Army.
Then the Imperial Army will know their existence and they will soon return!
Every fall, they’re going to fight the “things.”
The duration of each period is one month and three months.
Moreover, out of caution, the locations change every time Onoda initiates a heated battle.
However, in the autumn of 1972, accidents occurred.
Onoda’s last comrade, Kazu, died in a smoky battle.
He thus became the last soldier killed in World War II.
This year, Tsukizu Kim was seven fifty-one years old.
Konoda, he’s already 50 years old.
I lost my last comrade, Onoda.
But he still doesn’t realize:
The sacrifice of comrades is meaningless.
When Onoda returned to his hideout and after a long period of reflection, he set himself a period — 10 years.
He’s planning another 10 years of guerrilla warfare if he doesn’t return on his 60th birthday.
He’s gonna hit the radar station! I’ll kill him!
To sum up, Koshiro Onoda, the most loyal and determined warrior of the empire, will never surrender!
(5)
The news of the death of Sakugu Kim Seven was sent back to Japan, where it was shaken again.
What? Isn’t he dead?
In 1969, the Government of Japan also awarded them the Order of Sun-il.
Did they just cleverly avoid the search?
Is Konoda still alive?
On that basis, the Japanese Government has begun a new search.
They travelled to the Philippines, Myanmar and Malaysia to prepare for a wide-scale search of the jungle.
With advances in science and technology, the battle has grown.
On Lubong Island, for example, the Philippine Air Force conducted a carnet search of the island by direct helicopter and military dogs.
Although the Philippine military was kind, it frightened Onoda.
He tried his best to hide and spent six months avoiding all the “sweeps”.
By April of 1973, a search party that had nothing to find had given up again.
Once again, they decided that Onoda was really “scattered”.
Finally, the search team built a hut on Lubun Island, named Onoda Hill.
There was a new set of clothes in the cabin, as well as many Japanese newspapers and letters.
The wall also left the words of Onoda’s father.
After the search team left, Onoda entered the cabin quietly.
He seized the suit as a trophy and again took all the words seriously.
After reading, Onoda was disappointed.
He had tried to decipher the secret of the words he had learned but had not been able to decipher them.
He looked forward to the Imperial Army for over 20 years…
When are we gonna get here?
In 1974, Onoda did not receive the Imperial Army but found a suspect young man.
The man was dressed randomly and unarmed, and he was alone in a tent in the jungle for four days.
For Onoda, this man is so strange.
How can someone come out alone without a weapon?
At first, Onoda thought this man might be a bait.
There’s gonna be snipers around this guy!
However, after four days of observation, Onoda found that the imaginary sniper did not exist.
This is how he intends to go even further: direct contact.
On the night of the fourth day, Onoda was approached by the young man with a gun.
Onoda and Suzuki.
And then he was black, dressed like a ghost from hell.
“Who are you?” Onoda asks:
And what he didn’t expect was,
The other one had a very good color and answered him very quickly in Japanese:
“I’m an ordinary Japanese tourist. Are you Lieutenant Onoda? I’m sorry.
Onoda was surprised when he heard his name coming out.
He asked again, “Who are you?” I’m sorry.
The young man’s name is Suzuki. He’s an explorer.
He came to Lupin Island this time to explore and find the likely Japanese veteran.
The Governments of Japan and the Philippines have conducted a total of more than 700 operations to search for Konoda.
Suzuki didn’t think he’d actually hit someone so hard to find.
He continued:
“If you really are Lieutenant Onoda thank you for your long hard work. I’m sorry.
“The war is over. Will you come back to Japan with me? I’m sorry.
After confirming that the young man was really Japanese, Onoda dropped his gun.
In addition to his comrades, this was the first Japanese he had met in 30 years.
Two people sat next to the bonfire and started talking all night.
Suzuki was born in 1949 and is a young man born and raised after the war.
His character and state of mind have shocked Onoda.
Onoda found out that this young man’s character could be described as “innocent.”
He was very confused:
Is that what Japanese young people are all about?
As for Suzuki and Onoda, he was not stingy, calling him a “real hero”.
It also gives Onoda a little more trust in Suzuki.
However, he still had doubts about the status quo in Japan, to which Suzuki referred.
And how much did he actually write?
Onoda says, “99% don’t believe, the remaining 1% is suspense.” I’m sorry.
The wavering of this silk is not enough to allow Onoda to surrender immediately.
In the end, Onoda said to Suzuki, “I need an order from the commander to surrender.” I’m sorry.
(6)
The “sir” of Onoda, who was sent to Lubun Island in 1944, is the “sir.”
At that time, she was very determined to say to him:
“You go to the mountains and fight in guerrilla warfare. We’ll be back in three or five years. I’m sorry.
“If there’s only one human being, even if he eats coconuts, he must resist. I’m sorry.
And even worse, Yemi Tanaguchi said:
“Only I can cancel this order. I’m sorry.
Onoda kept those words from the chief in mind.
So, 30 years later, he said:
“I can surrender only if I have the order of the Utsumi-san. I’m sorry.
Suzuki was very good. He immediately returned to Japan and started looking for the commander.
Suzuki finally found her in Miyazaki County.
At this point, she was no longer a soldier.
He became an ordinary Japanese citizen and was employed as a bookshop owner.
When Suzuki-kun came to him, her mouth was so full of shit.
“Who is Hiroro Onoda?”
Yes, you’ve forgotten your men completely.
Good thing he didn’t lose sight of it.
On 9 March 1974, Uchiguchi arrived on Lubun Island, Philippines, with a surrender order.
On that day, Hiroro Onoda finally heard an order for surrender announced by the Chief of Staff.
He finally laid down his arms, walked out of the jungle and surrendered to the Philippine police.
Suzuki Ki-fu: Ueguchi announced his surrender order to Onoda.
On 10 March, the Commander of the Philippine Air Force officially accepted Onoda’s surrender at the local radar base.
On 11 March, then-President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, received Hiroro Ono.
Konoda surrendered.
Max will meet Hiroro Ono.
According to statistics, for nearly 30 years, Onoda and his companions have launched more than 100 “fights”.
The property damage caused by their looting, theft and arson is almost incalculable.
They killed more than 130 Filipinos.
Moreover, only a few of them were military and police, most of them local civilians.
If he is tried by law, he may have to be shot for five minutes.
However, Onoda was not finally tried.
The Japanese government took over the “pot” in a smooth way and donated 300 million yen of “condolence money” to the Philippines.
In this regard, the Government of the Philippines also states:
That’s not going to happen.
On March 12, 1974, Onoda returned to Japan.
He was welcomed at the airport by more than 800 people.
Get off the plane. Onoda shouted:
Long live His Majesty!
NHK, a Japanese national broadcasting company, broadcast this “Mr. Onoda’s Return”.
This is a 66-minute special programme with a 45.4 per cent rating across Japan.
Subsequently, the Emperor tried to call Konohara, but he declined.
Onoda refused on the grounds that:
“His Majesty may bow down and say to me, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I don’t want this to happen.” I’m sorry.
It’s in line with the traditional Japanese spirit.
Japanese newspapers have identified Onoda as a “victim of war”.
The general public considered Onoda’s actions to be “loyal to his mission”.
The Government of Japan has awarded Onoda 1 million yen as compensation.
But Onoda didn’t take it, but he immediately gave it to XX.
In September 1974, the memoir of Hiroro Ono was published, ” Our Thirty Years War on Lubong Island ” .
And it was published so quickly because Onoda had written it long ago — it was Onoda’s “War Reports”.
In a short time, the book sold over 600,000 copies in Japan, making it a real best-selling book.
Onoda also became a best-selling author, with an extremely significant royalties.
However, even if he made money, he found out…
I’ve been abandoned by the times.
(7)
Onoda came home and was ready to start a new life.
Soon, however, he found himself simply inoperable and even post-war stress.
The sound of the helicopter flying will be used as the sound of a bomber.
The sound of the washing machine and the refrigerator was heard as an enemy.
He can’t sleep on the bed, he can sleep on the floor.
If you want a cigarette, you’ll cover it with your hand. It’s a habit in the jungle.
In his career planning, he wanted to be a kindergarten director or a free photographer.
Owing to its social influence, Onoda even wanted to take part in politics and participate in the election of alternates.
However, he was completely unaware of the post-war Japanese society and was struggling to do anything.
Onoda cannot accept the anti-war ideology of modern Japan.
He was even more dissatisfied with the restrictions imposed by the new Constitution on Japan’s military operations.
It can be said that the Onoda people came to 1974 but the thought was still alive in 1944.
He’s more than 90 percent of the mind from the education and experience of youth.
Hiroro Ono was born on March 19, 1922.
At the age of 20, he was recruited on the basis of his “A” qualification.
As a recruit, Onoda participated in a sweep operation in Nanchang, China.
In January 1944, owing to fluency in Chinese and English, Onoda was selected for further study at the First Preparatory School in Japan.
In other words, he was educated from an early age on the basis of militarism.
In the memoirs, Onoda wrote, “The soldiers are totally rejected by others, even if they have not been executed.” I’m sorry.
In any case, obedience and allegiance to the Emperor, and a firm inability to surrender, are at the heart of his thinking.
Japan would never be defeated, would never surrender and would become his ideological mark.
Of course, if that were the case, he would probably end up as a “scattered” and as a “faithful nation”.
But he didn’t.
Why is that?
As a result, in August 1944, Onoda was transferred to the Japanese Army Military School in Nakano at Minamata.
December 1944, a photo taken by Konoda and his brother Ziro.
This is a “special” school.
The main culture is espionage, with courses focusing on counter-intelligence, counter-intelligence, disguise, infiltration and sabotage.
Compared to other schools in Japan, the school is free and open.
In our impression, Japan’s militaristic education is usually proud of the “Face.”
This school doesn’t teach that.
What they advocated was that capture and death were shameful.
But it is only by preserving its own life that it can serve the Japanese Empire more.
It is better to be a prisoner than to kill yourself.
It was with that conviction that Onoda did not die in 1944.
Instead, he chose to hide in the jungle and fought in 29 years of guerrilla warfare.
In fact, there is more than one Japanese soldier with such a perception.
In the jungles of South and South-East Asia, there are many recalcitrant Japanese soldiers.
For example, in 1951, there were 21 Japanese soldiers rounded up on Anatakhan.
Japanese soldier Kuoichi was hiding in the jungle of Guam until 1972.
There was also a soldier, Heifer Nakamura, who was hiding in the jungle of Morote, Indonesia, only found in 1974.
Under the influence of the same belief, they almost all denied the end of the war and insisted on “war” for decades to come.
The journalist once asked Onoda:
“The most precious 30 years of your life have been in the jungle. Will you be sorry?”
His answer was:
“To be able to fight in full at a young age, I think, is happiness. I’m sorry.
He never thought that his so-called “fight” would amount to murder in the eyes of the local population.
And when the journalist asked him:
“What do you think of the locals you killed? I’m sorry.
Onoda replied:
“The soldiers obey the command, and I am commanded to fight, so there is no responsibility for their deaths. I’m sorry.
His empire did not teach him:
Under all circumstances, the killing of civilians is a crime.
So he does not have to confess to his actions.
(8)
Having been unable to live in the city, seven months after returning to Japan, Onoda left Japan.
He went to São Paulo, Brazil, where he purchased land using royalties from memoirs.
With the help of his brother, he runs a farm.
Out of the city, Onoda was much more comfortable.
In 1976, 54-year-old Onoda and 39-year-old Machi married.
Onoda married Machi.
In June 1984, Onoda returned to Japan and opened the Onoda Nature School.
This natural school, which is mainly teaching Japanese teenagers “how to live in the wild” during the holidays.
The aim of the school is “to prepare a healthy Japanese national for the country”.
Since then, Onoda has also begun to live each year between Japan and Brazil.
In 1988, Onoda published a book entitled Reminiscent of Living in Hide on Lubong Island and Survival Techniques.
In 1995, a great earthquake struck Japan.
Many of the volunteers involved in the rescue were students who had studied at the Okoda Nature School.
Onoda was very pleased with this and said in the interview:
“I, who know only war and nature, have finally found the value of the rest of my life. I’m sorry.
Starting this year, Onoda and his wife had also completely abandoned Brazil’s large farms and intended to return home to focus on natural schools.
Onoda after school.
Onoda returned to Lubun Island in May 1996.
He met a farmer, Tria, who had been shot by him.
Tria was 81 years old at that time, and he accepted 74-year-old Onoda’s embrace and offered forgiveness.
In fact, as a conservative activist, Hiroro Ono has been interacting with Japanese politics.
He regularly participates in events organized by Right-wing Japan.
Every time he heard a Japanese military song, he cried out of excitement.
His work and influence have also become a powerful advocacy tool for the right-wing in Japan.
Even when he was later at the age of 90, he was frequently invited to various events and lectures.
Until 2014, Hiroro Onoda died in Tokyo of heart failure caused by pneumonia and was 92 years old.
Onoda, who attended the event in his late years.
After his death, there was a proliferation of works about him.
In 1977, the author of Onoda ‘ s memoirs, Shin Ikeda, published Fantasy Heroes: Three Months with Lieutenant Onoda.
In 2001, BBC filmed the documentary ” The Last Surrender ” .
In 2003, a Japanese research scholar from Australia, Trevor, published ” Separated Members of the Japanese Army and Japanese Memory of War ” , 1950-1975.
In 2020, Bernard Senlong and Gerald Sunnu published the book Onoda: The Battle of the Jungle.
In 2021, the French director, Arthur Harari, made the film Onoda: Jungle Night, which was premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
In 2022, the famous German film director, Werner Herzog, published The Twilight World, a novel modelled on Onoda.
Mia Stewart, an Australian Philippine filmmaker, is also filming a documentary on the same subject.
The movie “The Jungle of Onoda”
With regard to Onoda ‘ s work and comments, there is a serious polarization.
Some say he is a “sign of the military spirit” and others call him “the dead spirit of militarism”.
Commending his men, he has locked in his courage, loyalty and due diligence.
“A real soldier” and “a soldier worth studying all over the world.”
The Assistant Professor of Seri Sunko, Tokyo University, Japan, said, “Onoda is considered a hero and a victim. I’m sorry.
The French director, Harari, said after the film was finished: “The whole story is fascinating, and you can’t be left alone.” I’m sorry.
When Onoda died, the New York Times also assessed him as:
“A very strict old warrior who taught the Japanese responsibility and perseverance and inspired the Japanese pride. I’m sorry.
The Washington Post wrote:
“He embodies the values of pre-war adherence, submission and sacrifice. I’m sorry.
Of course, there are many opponents.
For example, Shinda, the author who published his memoirs, strongly criticized Onoda in his own book.
In his view, the acts of Onoda against the Filipinos constituted wanton murder.
Onoda did not refuse to believe in the end of the war because of loyalty.
He was just afraid of the “retribution of the Islanders”.
Onoda is not a hero at all, he is not even a brave man.
So what did Onoda do to make him fear reprisals from the islanders?
In BBC’s documentary, a lot of Filipino stories were recorded.
For example, the local farmer Boflet describes the tragic death of his compatriots:
“The body is this way, the head is that far away. I’m sorry.
Although the BBC does not say much, the cruelty of Onoda is everywhere.
First, it is not a common fight to kill or kill, but rather a bare-faced torture.
Secondly, the people killed were not combatants, but unarmed and innocent farmers.
Most of these acts of cruelty have been selectively ignored by the literature of Onoda.
The magazine Visualization and Voice, which criticized the film Onoda: Jungle Night.
In their view, the film was never excavated from a Filipino perspective at all.
James Latimer also published a video review after watching the film:
“The Filipinos who have emerged are nothing but insignificant victims. I’m sorry.
“Praise a man who has demonstrated Japanese imperial ambitions, who is childish and insulting to the best. I’m sorry.
Australian Philippine filmmaker Stuart, in particular from a Filipino perspective:
“My mother grew up on Lubun Island, and she knew that a mysterious soldier was on the island, which would hurt them. I’m sorry.
“The voices of the Filipino people need to be heard. I’m sorry.
Indeed, Onoda’s atrocities were ignored in his own memoirs and in a film directed by Harari.
They’re shooting, they’re in the jungle.
And they celebrate the hymn of time and time.
But this sounds romantic and respectable “old warrior” who has actually killed over a hundred innocent people.
Moreover, Onoda himself had never confessed to his atrocities.
He has been hiding behind the “sir’s orders” and has never personally assumed any responsibility.
In this regard, according to Trevor, a Japanese research scholar from Australia:
“Japan’s ideology of refusing to surrender during the war is strong, but it remains difficult to explain the degree of Onoda’s persistence. I’m sorry.
“If their ideology is really strong enough, how did the Japanese collectively stop fanaticism in 1945? I’m sorry.
“Onoda, perhaps he can only convince himself by not knowing the end.” I’m sorry.
“So he doesn’t have to reflect on the damage caused by his stupidity. I’m sorry.
Or the so-called loyalty that has been glorified.
But paranoid and evasive.
It was Konohara’s paranoia that allowed the aggressor’s soul to wander for 29 years.
Source:
[1] No Surrender: My Thirty Years of War, Konoda, 1974
Koshiro Onoda: 30 years in the jungle.
[3] Hiroro Ono, Wikipedia
[4] The film Onoda: Jungle Night, filed by Arthur Harari: YXA1AoAgL82coBM9dZriMjMG
I don’t know.
Keep your eyes on the road.
