A soldier Yokoi Shoichi - After reading

You may remember a Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi? He was called up for army activities again in 1941 and combatted at Guam against the U.S. forces.

When Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration in Aug and the war ended, it was announced by radio, newspaper, flyer etc. to all Japanese who stayed/combatted in Japan and territories of America and/or American’s ally. A soldier Shoichi Yokoi and his two brothers-in-arms saw the flyer, but they did not believe that Japan defeated the War and guessed that the flyer saying Japan’s defect was plot created by U.S. forces.

The Japanese were controlled/taught to believe that their country was very strong. Most  Japanese bore starvation, deprivation and a lot of Japanese gave their lives, believing in beating U.S. forces.  Japanese soldiers were taught that it was considered a disgrace to come back alive from the front. It was no wonder that some Japanese could not recognize Japan’s defeat and did not go back to home.

After Japan’s defeat, the brothers lived in the jungles of Guam for two decades. His two brothers-in-arms died by huge typhoon, but a soldier Yokoi stayed more 8 years in jungle of Guam until local people found him.

When he returned to Japan, he said that he stooped to coming back alive from the front, but he believed his return might be of any help. His life in/after war is unbelievable for people nowadays, but we must know how terrible the war is and must do all efforts not to cause any war forever.

Postcard from... Guam (they're like London buses!)

Dear Jim,

As you know, I am now in Guam. It is very hot here, compared to Matsumoto, but I'm getting used to to it. I might not be able to survive in Matsumoto's freezing climate.

Today I went wake boarding. The wind felt very good. The sea water was so clear that you could see the bottom.

See you soon.

Toshiya

Postcard from...Guam

Hi Jim,

I'm in Guam.

I bought a lot of things, for example watch, wallet, and for my friends souvenier. I also went to the beach, did the 'wake board'. It was hard to take balance. I am going to have more fun!!

Yuya

Postacard from Faifai Beach, Guam

To Jim

We enjoy GUAM!! We stay P.I.C. Hotel.
This hotel has many attraction pools.
Today we swimed in the pool and sea. That was fun :)

I talks to hotel staff, shop assistant a lot. I can hear and speak English before I attend LUNA! I am very happy!!
Thank you Jim sensei!!

Guam's restaurant meal is yummy. But it's too much for me. We ate Vietnamese food at dunner. We share 1 plate meal. I'm tummyache now and I can't sleep!! Oh no!! I need medicine > *o* <

I love GUAM and Cocoro loves GUAM! Yeah!
See you next Monday.

From Maiko