The idea of suicide pilots is often associated with military culture and machismo, but it's important to examine the factors that may have influenced these individuals. It's possible that, like in Nazi Germany, those who became kamikazes were chosen from groups deemed undesirable or discredited.
The Japanese culture is intense, complicated, and distinct. They were viewed as fanatics by the allied powers during World War II and have an extreme dedication to their emperor.
This episode discusses Japan's transition from a feudal state to a modern imperial power and its aggressive expansion in Asia, as well as the prevalence of drug addiction in the Japanese population during this time.
This episode discusses the atrocities committed by the Japanese military during World War II and the impact it had on the people in Malaya and Singapore, as well as the war crimes trials that followed.
During the closing months of World War II, the Japanese military resorted to increasingly desperate measures. One of these was the Kamikaze suicide attacks, which culminated in the last charge on the island of Okinawa.
The Japanese strategy in World War II involved taking islands, forcing the allies to take them back, and winning through the ability of their people to suffer more. This strategy led to the death of 75% of Japanese soldiers due to disease and starvation, but also created a sense of admiration from their enemies for their determination and courage.