Warriors of the World - 4. Kamikaze

The documentary "Warriors of the World - 4. Kamikaze" provides an in-depth exploration of Japan’s kamikaze pilots during World War II, focusing on their cultural, historical, and ideological underpinnings.

Kamikaze pilots were shaped by Japan's cultural reverence for cherry blossoms, symbolizing life's fleeting beauty, and the Bushido code, which emphasized loyalty, honor, and sacrifice. These values were deeply rooted in samurai traditions and repurposed during wartime to justify self-sacrifice for the nation. The term kamikaze itself means "divine wind," referencing a typhoon that saved Japan from a Mongol invasion in 1281, linking the pilots' mission to a sense of divine purpose1.

As Japan faced mounting losses in 1944, kamikaze tactics emerged as a desperate measure to counter Allied forces. Pilots flew planes loaded with explosives into enemy ships, inflicting significant damage but at the cost of their lives. These attacks reflected Japan's dire situation and the military's belief in "no surrender". The selection process often involved young men who volunteered out of patriotism or societal pressure, with some coerced by military authorities.

The pilots underwent psychological conditioning rooted in Shinto and Bushido ideologies. They were led to believe that their sacrifice was honorable and spiritually elevating, allowing them to reunite with ancestors. Farewell ceremonies and letters reinforced their resolve. This indoctrination was a form of state hegemony that exploited cultural values like loyalty and shame.

The documentary contrasts kamikaze pilots with modern suicide attackers, noting that kamikazes targeted military forces during war rather than civilians. It critiques the misuse of the term "kamikaze" in modern contexts. Post-war Japan shifted away from militarism to embrace pacifism, viewing these pilots as both heroes and victims of extreme nationalism.

This idea transcends Japan, finding parallels in other historical conflicts. For instance, financial actors like U.S. bankers have influenced wars such as the Napoleonic Wars, WWI, and WWII by promoting ideologies that manipulate young soldiers into sacrificing themselves for hidden agendas. Tools like propaganda, psychological conditioning, and promises of honor or posthumous recognition have historically been used to encourage self-sacrifice.

These tactics persist today, often under new ideological or religious narratives. For example, the financial incentives provided to families of suicide bombers highlight how governments and organizations continue to exploit psychological methods for their objectives.

Therefore, an understanding of necessary world history is essential for making informed decisions and resisting manipulation by those who profit from war, leading well-meaning but naive individuals to destruction. Ignorance is no longer excusable in a world where every action carries consequences. Manipulation thrives by influencing choices while making people believe they are acting independently—because the true power of deception lies in temptation.

Source:
https://vk.com/page-24994996_42400314