30 Tahun Sembunyi Di Hutan! Disangka Masih Perang! Perjuangan Hiroo Onoda | Learning By Googling

Summary

The story of Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese soldier who continued to fight in the Philippines for nearly 30 years, believing World War II had not ended, is both astonishing and inspiring. Despite receiving multiple messages and propaganda stating Japan's surrender, Onoda and his comrades remained in the jungle, convinced the war was ongoing. His story unfolds with moments of disbelief, survival, and dedication to his mission until 1974, when he was finally found. The video also touches on the similar case of Teruo Nakamura, a Taiwanese soldier who faced less recognition despite his longer concealment. Onoda's return to Japan, after 30 years, highlights the profound changes in the country and his personal struggle with those transformations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Onoda was a Japanese soldier during World War II who hid in the jungle for almost 30 years, unaware that the war had ended.
• 😀 Onoda was trained in guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and secret operations in military school, where he was also taught to never surrender.
• 😀 His final mission in December 1944 was to defend Lubang Island in the Philippines from American forces.
• 😀 Even after Japan's surrender in 1945, Onoda and three fellow soldiers stayed in the jungle, believing the war was still ongoing.
• 😀 Despite leaflets dropped in October 1945 announcing the end of the war, Onoda dismissed them as enemy propaganda.
• 😀 Over time, one of Onoda's fellow soldiers, Akatsu, started to believe the war had ended and eventually surrendered in 1950.
• 😀 In 1954, another soldier, Shimada, attacked local fishermen, resulting in his death, and further convinced Onoda that the war was still ongoing.
• 😀 By 1972, the Philippine government launched an official search for remaining soldiers, discovering Onoda and Kozuka still alive in the jungle.
• 😀 Onoda and Kozuka engaged in a shootout with a search team, resulting in Kozuka's death and making Japan realize Onoda was still alive.
• 😀 In 1974, adventurer Norio Suzuki found Onoda, convinced him the war had ended, and brought him the message from his commanding officer, Major Taniuchi.
• 😀 Onoda finally believed the war was over after meeting Major Taniuchi, who had kept his promise to return for Onoda, and he returned to Japan in 1974 as a national hero.

Q & A

Who was Hero Onoda, and what made his story unique?

Hero Onoda was a Japanese lieutenant during World War II who remained hidden in the jungle for nearly 30 years, unaware that the war had ended. His story is unique because he continued to believe the war was ongoing, even after Japan's surrender in 1945, until he was discovered in 1974.

What was Onoda's mission during World War II?

Onoda's mission was to defend Lubang Island in the Philippines, ensuring it did not fall into enemy hands. He was ordered not to commit suicide and to continue resisting until further orders, which contributed to his belief that the war was still ongoing.

How did Onoda survive in the jungle for so many years?

Onoda survived by building a shelter from bamboo, foraging for food, hunting animals, and occasionally stealing food from local villages. He also adapted to living off the land, enduring through extreme isolation.

Why did Onoda and his comrades reject the leaflets announcing Japan's surrender?

Onoda and his comrades believed the leaflets were enemy propaganda designed to trick them into surrendering. Their deep loyalty to Japan and military training, which included the idea that surrender was dishonorable, led them to distrust the information.

How did the Japanese government react when they learned Onoda was still alive in 1972?

The Japanese government was shocked when it learned that Onoda was still alive and had continued fighting in the jungle for 29 years. They quickly organized a search to bring him back and sent a former superior, Major Yoshimi Taniuchi, to verify his survival and convince him that the war had ended.

What was the turning point that led Onoda to finally believe the war was over?

The turning point came when Major Taniuchi, Onoda’s commanding officer from 1944, personally met him in 1974. Taniuchi’s presence and confirmation of the war’s end made Onoda believe the information was true, leading him to surrender after nearly three decades in the jungle.

What impact did Onoda’s return to Japan have on him?

Upon returning to Japan, Onoda was shocked by the drastic changes in the country, such as modern buildings, new technology, and a shift in cultural values. He struggled with the sudden attention and the transformation of Japan, leading him to eventually move to Brazil in 1975.

What was the fate of Onoda’s comrades during his time in the jungle?

Onoda's comrades, including Akatsu, Shimada, and Kozuka, each had different fates. Akatsu eventually surrendered to the Filipinos in 1950, Shimada died in 1954 after a confrontation with locals, and Kozuka was killed in a shootout with a search party in 1972.

How did Onoda contribute after returning to Japan?

After returning to Japan, Onoda wrote a book titled *No Surrender* about his experiences. He also established a nature school and donated money to the school on Lubang Island, where he had spent many years hiding.

What is the significance of Teruo Nakamura’s story in relation to Onoda’s?

Teruo Nakamura was another Japanese soldier who, like Onoda, hid in the jungle for years after the war ended. However, Nakamura’s experience was different in that he was born in Taiwan and was not treated as a hero by Japan, despite his similar survival story.