Did Japanese POWs commit suicide when captured?

Answer 1

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.