NEWS

2025.02.03

【Report】 The 75th AJI Frontier Seminar was held! Dr. Ryo Tsunoda presented ““TOKKO” and Postwar Japanese Society: Commemorative Activities of the Postwar Generation and their Dilemmas”

The 75th AJI Frontier Seminar was held online on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Dr. Ryo TSUNODA, a senior researcher at Ritsumeikan Asia-Japan Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, gave a presentation titled “’TOKKO’ and Postwar Japanese Society: Commemorative Activities of the Postwar Generation and their Dilemmas.”

Dr. Tsunoda began by explaining that the Tokubetsu Kōgeki-tai, or "TOKKO" (Special Attack Units) included Kamikaze attacks, motorboat suicide missions, and human torpedoes (KAITEN) operated by Army and Navy became a symbol of ultimate sacrifice in Japanese military history. His presentation examined the memory of "TOKKO" in postwar Japanese society and contemporary ways to remember its fallen pilots.

He went on to explain that after the war, former generals initiated "TOKKO" commemorations including the Tokko Heiwa Kannon (Peace Kannon Statue), and ceremonies held at Setagayasan Kannon-ji Temple in collaboration between locals and the military. However, support for these activities declined as the generals grew older, and younger participants founded the Tokkōtai Memorial Association to revive and expand memorial activities by focusing on distinct "TOKKO" sacrifices. This caused the association’s membership to increase to 3,500. However, when the government acknowledged Japan’s wartime aggression in the 1990s it caused a backlash from groups memorializing "TOKKO." To avoid controversy, focus shifted from specific memories to the "TOKKO spirit" with an emphasis on self-sacrifice and dedication to others, but still, by 2014, membership had fallen below 2,000. To replace them, former JSDF personnel were encouraged to join, and the association focused on preserving the truth of "TOKKO," expressing gratitude to the war dead, reflecting on their inspiring sacrifices, and fostering a deeper connection to "TOKKO" ideals. This was embodied by the Chiran Museum, where visitors can reflect on "TOKKO" narratives for self-improvement. Its activities include sports training camps, corporate workshops, and seminars, encouraging a modern engagement with "TOKKO” avoiding the complexities of history in order to ensure the ongoing relevance of "TOKKO." Thus the "TOKKO" spirit continues to be passed down across generations through efforts focused on maintaining its relevance in contemporary society.

In the Q&A session, members of the audience were interested in how Kamikaze pilots could be inspired to sacrifice their lives for their country. Dr. Tsunoda explained how this arose from the Samurai spirit of Bushido, of never accepting defeat and fighting until death, which underlies Japanese culture. He was also asked for his assessment of Japanese society’s opinion of the “Tokko” today, and about his reflections on commemorating Japan’s war dead in the complex environment recent Asian history. He reflected that perhaps Japan’s role in the war is better understood by Japan’s neighbors than by young Japanese. Finally, he was asked about the JSDF’s role in commemorations, and what lesson they could take from the sacrifices of the Tokko. Dr. Tsunoda attempted to answer all these questions carefully, and his interesting presentation was very much appreciated by the audience.

Dr. Ryo Tsunoda delivering his presentation

Please visit the following link for previous AJI Frontier Seminars:
https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/research/aji/young_researcher/seminar/archive/