A+Japanese+soldier+in+the+Imperial+ArmyBlock+D+Sem+II+2011

Name: Sora Tatsukichi

Age: Born at 1921 March 31st (Age differs for each diary entry) Gender: Male Occupation: Soldier Appearance: Quite tall, not bulk yet have slim packed muscles. Has an amiable and handsome face. Location: Nanking Personality/Quirks/Unique Personality Traits: Immature, impulsive, violent, emotional Family: Older brother (Daiki), Mother (Rin), Uncle (Mitsuo), Younger Brother (Haru) Education: Elementary school education, military training Languages you speak:Japanese Your main concerns at this time and in life: Education, family, survival. Portrait (an image that you and we can live with):

=Diary Entry #1=


 * 1937 8/7**



After Japan’s economic depression, Japan needed a way out, and decided to use war as an instrument to pull herself out of the wreckage. Unlike me who came from Hiroshima, most soldiers came from rural areas. However we have become quick friends as we went through numerous hardships together such as tough trainings and battles. I am currently on a battleship to Manchuria. I didn’t have so much education because I had to join the army at such a young age; I only attended elementary school and received just enough education to write a diary. I don’t have access to so much information about Japan’s imperial army, yet I know that a majority of Japan’s troops are being sent to Manchuria. My fellow friends say that this would be a big war, and we need to win this war for the sake of Japan’s industry. We need to get the resources that America is not letting us get: oil, rubber, metal, etc. Or else our industry would stop and our navy would become useless. I, a teenager of only sixteen years old, do not understand the true purpose of war. I am one of the numerous toy soldiers who shoot according to the general’s order. It is the faith inside me that keeps me fighting, that one day, I would be able to return to Japan with my family, and resume a peaceful life. If there is one hardship of being in the army, it is that I miss my family too much and feel restricted within the army. As soon as the war in Manchuria ends and get what we need (though I am not perfectly clear of what it is that we need) I shall hastily make return to my old mother and help her, since she is working very hard by herself at the cotton factory. I was suddenly pulled away by the government officers to join the army, and I didn’t have a proper farewell with my family. I miss my mother //Rin Suzuki//... and I miss proper japanese dishes she would make for me: how I loved her wudong... Maybe I still am a child. At first, I felt free and loved how she couldn't mind my business. However it wasn’t long until I realized how foolish and immature I was to think my mom like that. No peers in the army will ever care for me as much as my mom did. Everyday is hell, with no respect and unsanitary shelter... My brother //Daiki Tatsuki// is also in the war, yet I have not yet seen him around for over a year. I hope I get a chance to meet my brother once we get to Manchuria after his long voyage. One day, Japan would find stability in itself and the whole East Asia. I will fight for Japan until that day. For Japan's welfare, and my peace. Now I must go sleep, see you next time.

=Diary Entry #2=


 * 1937 11/16**

Today's battle was cruel, yet we have finally taken over Shanghai. I have finally learned the purpose of this war. Since the US imposed an embargo of military goods to Japan, for Japan to survive, Japan needs to take over Manchuria for resources. Such weird names that westerners have... They are against our invasion of Manchuria,and are being selfish! If we cannot take over Manchuria, where would Japan get their resources? Without such source Japan would fall, rapidly. For the survival of Japan, and for the good of East Asia, we shall repel the Western forces and keep the peace of East Asia, because it is Japan who has the right and power to help other Asian nations. With our strength and technology and divine rights, we will take over Manchuria and grow as another world power that could outcompete the Western powers. My general, //Kurono Kei// told us that a group of Western Nations called the ‘League of Nations’ are trying to restrict our movement through various treaties. However those cowards aren’t doing anything even till the moment we take over Manchuria. Such cowards will never be able to tell Japan what to do. Japan’s forces are growing day by day, and we have successfully taken over a major port now. However the battle was long and weary, and cruel. Even now our general //Kurono Kei// is doing human experiments and trying out new weapons, the weapons are ‘biological weapons’ that involved such dreadful diseases as typhoid, bubonic plague. It is such pity for the Chinese to die as experimental materials in such painful ways. I believe thousands of people have already been killed in the experimenting of the new weapons. The war is truly a disgusting scene. It makes me want to return home... Good news though, I think I heard some news about my brother. He is in Manchuria too, yet I still haven’t got a chance to see him. It would be such a delight to see your sibling at such time for comfort and reliance. There were many moments that I was on the verge of dying... after being shot in the leg at the start of our first attack, I have constantly been in danger. I still remember the face of //KMT officer// who could have killed me but didn't. His face filled with pity... But then I was shot in the leg by another soldier. I don't understand how I survived, it is truly a miracle. I have mixed feelings towards the battle now... Is this the right thing? We are killing too many sane people. However, I shall continue to fight. I can’t die until I see my family again. I will stay strong.

=Diary Entry #3=

I have had a bad omen this morning. A black cat slowly passed by me, staring at me. Darn little figures... Made my day even more anxious. After our glorious victories over all of East Asia such as the Philippines, Singapore, Malaya, Indochina, and Hongkong, we are very proud of our army's great might. However, as we have gained all these land in such a short time, I felt somewhat... wrong and awkward. Are these really our land? Was it actually possible to maintain such dominance for long? I have heard that just recently Japan has attacked the America, and that America would be waging a war against us. Yes, we are the great Japan's soldiers, yes, we have gained many victories, but would we be able to handle America by ourselves? They are one of the strongest country in the whole wide world... Even the lands that we have took over aren't stable yet. I, who has been in Manchuria for most of the time other than the short time when I was sent to the Philippines to repress the Huks where we encountered numerous //farmers// and peasants fighting against us. I still have to repress the guerrillas' uprising. Oh, those Chinese, how annoying and consistent... like cockroaches, they will never die! In my battles with the guerrillas, I have just seen the //officer// who spared my life during the first battle. It was as odd sensation, of not knowing what to do with him. He spared my life when he could have killed me, yet her we stand again as enemies. I always try to catch him to end his uprisings yet he always deftly retreats after damaging the Japanese armies. Such annoying brats... Since I stayed long in Manchuria, I have also met my brother, //Daiki Tatsukichi//. It was a surprise to hear that my brother also, has met the //guerilla officer// and has went through a similar situation. We shared both oppressed and thankful feelings towards him, not knowing what we'd do with him even if we had a chance to kill him. It was quite a joy to be able to have a reunion with a family member in such foreign land. However, the upcoming battle with the America truly frightens me and makes me feel a chill up my spine just by thinking about it. Was our attack a right choice? I somewhat doubt the decision of Japan...
 * 1941 12/12**

=Diary Entry #4= It's over. All over. The glorious Japan has now fallen, and have surrendered to America. Consecutive losing in numerous battles as they advanced towards Japan through 'Island Hopping", which we stood powerless against. Japan has lost control of all its colonies, including Manchuria. The Soviets made an agreement with the Americans, the Yalta agreement, and attacked us, the Kwantung army. We were defeated in a matter of time, and me and my brother, //Daiki Tatsukichi//, gets caught by the soviet union army. We were then parted apart as we are held as captives. The news that greatly worries me right now, however is the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that happened in early August. To end Japanese resistance, America has used the most vicious, the most destructive, the most inhumane weapon of mankind. Atomic Bomb. Millions of people died, and Japan became greatly crippled. I am so worried of my mother, //Rin Suzuki//... our house was at Hiroshima, which is the bombed site. I... don't want to admit... but the chance that she has survived is... very low. Such weapon that destructed all of Japan... I curse them, I curse America. How our great Japan has fallen. Lost all its power and surrendered like obedient dogs to their force... Is this what happened to other Asian countries when we invaded them? We are in destitute. Lost hope, lost power, lost families and friends. Would Japan be able to resurrect? Will we get back our glory? I do not know... I don't even know whether we would be killed or freed by the soviets... The only thing I wish for now... is just one letter, from my mother to me saying that... she's all right. I miss you mom, I love you. It has been rough times... the soviets treat us less than dogs, swearing at us (presumably) with their language. What is all this... What have we done wrong? We done this for the glory of Japan, for the good of Asia. Is this what we get? It is sad to witness the fall of our great empire. The rising sun is now setting, with the tears of Japanese. The dreadful war is now over; as well as our ambition.
 * 1945 9/16**

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