This book review is divided into four parts; i.e., four monthly blog posts, ending in December 2014.
- Part 1 of 4: Summary review
- Part 2 of 4: Memorable quotes and my random notes – I of III
- Part 3 of 4: Memorable quotes and my random notes – II of III
- Part 4 of 4: Memorable quotes and my random notes – III of III
Summary review
The minute I became aware of this book, I had to read it. I had no idea that the person who led the attack on Pearl Harbor came out of it alive, let alone the fact that, after the war, he became a Christian missionary – a very unusual turn of event for a Japanese. Because the book is based on his personal notes, I appreciated how Fuchida shared his inner-most thoughts openly and matter-of-factly.
One of the most fascinating aspects about Fuchida’s book is that he personally met some of the historically significant figures both in Japan during the war and in the United States after the war. Comments made by them give readers intriguing insights into their thoughts: Emperor Showa (aka Hirohito); Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleet Isoroku Yamamoto; Commander Minoru Genda; General James H. Doolittle (aka Jimmie Doolittle); General Douglas MacArthur; Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz; President Harry S. Truman; President Dwight D. Eisenhower; and Reverend William F. Graham (aka Billy Graham).
Every year since 1972, as I have chosen to live in the United States, December 7th has been a dreaded day for me. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in front of Congress on December 8, 1941, “December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy…” It indeed has in my mind all these years. And to think that this author had led the attack, the very event that gave me such anguish every single year of my life in the United States, I was afraid that the book might create an even greater sense of guilt by association as a native of Japan myself.
Instead of continuing to allow myself to feel guilty for Japan’s deed, which triggered America’s involvement in World War II, this book finally helped ease the pain for me. I doubt, however, that I will ever be completely free of the sense of guilt until the day I die – despite the fact that I was born over seven years after the attack. This annual reminder is a small price to pay for the wonderful life I have been privileged to live in peace in America, enjoying freedom and independence as an individual.
Fuchida’s book finally answered the question I had for a long time about how General MacArthur seemed to have had the full grasp of the role the Emperor played in Japan for eons. Fuchida says of his meeting with Admiral Nimitz: “I decided to mention that I was cooperating with the Manson Report team, and I solicited the Fleet Admiral’s advice regarding the resolution of the Emperor’s war crimes issue. Nimitz nodded without saying a word.” “Afterwards, Nimitz recommended to GHQ that, ‘The reason that Japan has been adhering to the Potsdam Declaration faithfully – whether demobilizing her soldiers or handing over weapons – is owing to the presence of the Emperor. If the Emperor should be treated as a war criminal, then the situation will become uncontrollable, and the occupation policy will not proceed smoothly.’ It was powerful advice from such an important figure as Nimitz. MacArthur himself seemed to have understood, and the war criminal issues hanging over the Emperor disappeared.”
It would be interesting to find out how many other Japanese officers, if any, were interviewed for the Manson Report. Whether it was just Fuchida or however many more, given the history of Japan, I think the consensus regarding the role of the Emperor would have been the same.
There are those who firmly believe that the Emperor should have been tried and executed as a war criminal. In fact, having read “Hirohito” by Herbert P. Bix, I, too, began to question why not. Then again, whether General MacArthur was right or wrong in the matters regarding the Emperor’s fate, the then future of Japan was based on the General’s decision. It became the era in which millions of baby-boomer generation of Japanese, including myself, were born. Knowing Japan’s history and culture, I believe that any decision to the contrary by the General would indeed have resulted in total chaos in that society – so much so that I probably would not have come to exist. If life is to be celebrated, as we do in the Western culture, then I am grateful for the decision that he had made.
Lastly and most importantly, Messrs. Douglas T. Shinsato and Tadanori Urabe, who made Fuchida’s Japanese notes available in English, deserve the highest recognition for their passion to make history come to life.
p.s. Here is a video of Fuchida being interviewed by Merv Griffin in 1965, courtesy of Reelin’ in the Years Productions, LLC on YouTube.
I just read your comments about “For That One Day”. Thank you for your kind words.
FYI, Mitsuo Fuchida’s son–Joe Yoshiya–passed away recently. He loved his father very much and, like you, was proud to be an American from Japan.
Thank you again.