The story of how Kamikaze pilots were chosen during World War II is a complex and sobering reflection on the intersection of patriotism, coercion, and human vulnerability. The operation, which guaranteed death, was not officially sanctioned by the imperial navy or army in a direct order from the emperor. Instead, it was presented as a voluntary endeavor, allowing the higher-ups to maintain a veneer of honor and volunteerism while pushing young men into a harrowing decision.
In practice, the selection process for Kamikaze pilots often began with a collective summons. Soldiers were gathered in a hall and given a stirring lecture on the virtues of patriotism and sacrifice. This was the first layer of coercion—a cultural and emotional appeal to their sense of duty and honor. They were then asked to step forward if they wished to volunteer for the Kamikaze missions. In some instances, the process was inverted, asking men to step forward if they did not wish to volunteer. Both methods leveraged intense peer pressure, making it nearly impossible for any soldier to opt out without feeling the weight of collective expectation.
In an attempt to reduce visible peer pressure, officers sometimes blindfolded the soldiers, asking them to raise their hands if they volunteered. Yet, even this gesture was fraught with manipulation, as the sound of rustling uniforms betrayed the number of hands raised, further isolating those who hesitated.
The writings and testimonies of Kamikaze pilots reveal a poignant mix of resignation, solidarity, and admiration for their peers. Many did not resist volunteering not only due to peer pressure but because they could not bear to save themselves while their friends sacrificed their lives. Admiration for fallen comrades played a significant role in their decision-making. Ichijima Yasuo, a navy ensign and devout Christian, rationalized his impending death by reflecting on the honor of those who had already perished. He quoted a poem implying that as others had fallen, so would he.
Those who managed to resist volunteering faced dire consequences. Refusing to volunteer often led to being branded a coward or being sent to the front lines in the southern battlefield, where death was almost certain. Kuroda Kenjirō’s experience illustrates this coercion. Despite his refusal, he found his name listed among the volunteers because his superior had falsely reported that all his men had volunteered.
Family background and social status played roles in the selection process as well. Privileged individuals, such as the sons of important officials or prominent businessmen, often volunteered but were rarely selected. The system of primogeniture sometimes spared the oldest or only sons from the missions, allowing them to care for their parents. Meanwhile, those with essential skills or perceived physical fitness were pressured more intensely to volunteer.
The determination of mission order and selection was often arbitrary and influenced by the personal biases of officers. For instance, navy lieutenant Fujii Masaharu was chosen because his superior disliked his reserved demeanor. Despite the fact that officers of his rank were generally exempt from Kamikaze missions, Fujii was assigned to lead a Kamikaze corps, a decision he viewed as a masked act of murder.
As Japan’s defeat loomed closer, the atmosphere among Kamikaze pilots grew increasingly somber. By June 1945, during the last stages of the battle of Okinawa, the once vibrant spirit of patriotic songs had faded, replaced by the melancholic tones of “Lullaby from Itsuki,” a song that expressed a deep longing for home and an end to suffering. This shift in morale underscored the psychological toll on the young men who found themselves trapped between the inevitability of their missions and the overwhelming pressure to conform to a fatalistic ideal of heroism.
The Kamikaze pilots’ story is one of tragic complexity, marked by the interplay of coerced patriotism, personal honor, and the stark realities of war. Their experiences offer a profound reflection on the human cost of war and the intricate mechanisms of coercion and voluntarism employed by those in power.