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Suicide is and was practiced by all people of all nations at some time or another; always have, and always will. Japanese servicemen were trained NOT to surrender. Allied Propaganda simply exaggerated suicides and applied it to further the propaganda missions. Example: According to the allies, Kamikaze pilots committed suicide by crashing their airplanes into allied warships. This is true. And according to propaganda guidelines, this statement would be distributed. But this portion, the reason why, would not be distributed: Kamikaze pilots were to guide their bomb carrying airplanes into the allied warships; Mission: Destroy one plane for one ship. Unfortunately, the pilot goes with the plane (destroyed). The purpose of propaganda is to lower the morale of the enemy and raise the morale of the allies, so you don't want to print and distribute the wrong WORDS. In the days before "smart weapons", a manned flying bomb was the next best thing. The Kamikaze wasn't "intending" to commit suicide (simply for the sake of dying), but if he can trade his one life for 300 lives (the complement of a US Fletcher class US Navy Destroyer), then that's a bargain! Japanese fighting men (Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers) faced possible death by a firing squad if they disgraced their country or regiment. Surrendering was a disgrace. Like ancient Sparta, fighting men were SUPPOSED to die in battle. Failing that, they best not shame their countrymen by surrendering...so suicide became an un-welcome option. Bottom line: (Sometimes) If a fighting man doesn't take his own life, the firing squad might do it for him.

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Q: Did Japanese POWs commit suicide when captured?
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How were POWs captured in World War 2?

During WWII, there were many ways soldier's could become POW'S. One way was surrendering, when they lost the will to fight or were unable to fight. This happened a lot in the European Theater. But the Pacific Theater was tremendously different. The Japanese soldiers believed that they should fight to the death, which resulted in very few being captured. Most would commit suicide over being captured. A lot of the ones that were captured were knocked out by blasts from shells or from bullets. There is a famous instance on Okinawa when Hiromichi Yahara, a Japanese colonel was captured because at the time of his capture, he was posing as a civilian teacher. He tried to evade the enemy, but they caught on and got him.


Were there Russian POWS in the Russo-Japanese War?

At POW camps in Japan.


Japanese attitudes to Australian POWs in World War 2?

yes


Why was the air force captain executed by the Japanese?

The Japanese brutally murdered thousands of military prisoners of war because they wanted to intimidate all other POWs and Japan's enemies. The Japanese military did not believe in surrender and therefore did not respect any person that allowed themselves to be captured. Bottom Line: The Japanese military, especially the Army, behaved as evil barbarians without respect for human life of enemy civilians or military.


When was the last allied POW released by the Japanese?

Try this book for information: "Prisoners of the Japanese-POWs of World War in the Pacific." (1996); By Gavan Daws. ISBN 0-6881-4370-9.

Related questions

What was Bushido and why was it import?

The Bushido code is the Japanese way of the warrior. It places honor above all, even one's life. Japanese soldiers in World War II would fight until killed, or commit suicide rather than be captured. It also meant that they showed little mercy to those they captured, treating them with contempt and often killing POWs or working them to death.


What is Bushido and why is it important?

The Bushido code is the Japanese way of the warrior. It places honor above all, even one's life. Japanese soldiers in World War II would fight until killed, or commit suicide rather than be captured. It also meant that they showed little mercy to those they captured, treating them with contempt and often killing POWs or working them to death.


Were Japanese POWs captured by Americans transported to camps in the US?

Yes and they were raped by the bed intruder you can run and tell that, homeboy


How were POWs captured in World War 2?

During WWII, there were many ways soldier's could become POW'S. One way was surrendering, when they lost the will to fight or were unable to fight. This happened a lot in the European Theater. But the Pacific Theater was tremendously different. The Japanese soldiers believed that they should fight to the death, which resulted in very few being captured. Most would commit suicide over being captured. A lot of the ones that were captured were knocked out by blasts from shells or from bullets. There is a famous instance on Okinawa when Hiromichi Yahara, a Japanese colonel was captured because at the time of his capture, he was posing as a civilian teacher. He tried to evade the enemy, but they caught on and got him.


Short and Long term consequences for Australian soldiers captured by the Japanese?

See: "Prisoners of the Japanese: POWs of World War II in the Pacific." (1996) by Gavan Daws; ISBN 0-6881-4370-9.


Happened to captured pilots in Vietnam war?

They became POWs.


Why were POWs captured in World War 2?

Because they surrendered.


Captured medical personnel are not considered pows?

All military personnel, be they medic, chaplain, private, or general, can be considered POWs.


How many POWs were captured in world war 2?

Almost all of them.


How many people were captured in operation barbarossa?

During Operation Barbarossa, it's known that 57,000 Germans were captured and 3.35 Million Soviets Captured as POWs.


Were there Russian POWS in the Russo-Japanese War?

At POW camps in Japan.


Japanese attitudes to Australian POWs in World War 2?

yes