Why did the Japanese use Kamikaze?
My findings!
Website 1 primarily focuses on how the Kamikazes were not bad, they were actually positive. "They didn't see it as a tragic waste of human life. It's a different culture. They were conditioned to believe the emperor is a living god and you must sacrifice yourself for him." (Website 1). Therefore, in the Japanese perspective they believed that what they were doing was brave and courageous. The war was coming to an end and the Japanese were getting closer to defeat, so Kamikaze's were their last resort. "Kamikazes weren't until the end of WW2 during desperate times and desperate times call for desperate measures. Self sacrifice in this way fit the existing culture so it was exploited." (Website 1) The idea of using Kamikaze's ended up being checked off for every needy cause. They also believed that dying for their country would send them straight to a good after life. "The Kamikaze or "divine wind" became a feared weapon."(Website 1)
The young Japanese men who volunteered as Kamikaze followed the Code of Bushido. Bushido was the warrior spirit worshipped by Samurai warriors in early Japanese history. By sacrificing yourself in battle you would enter the after life directly.
Wsbsite 2 talks about what the Kamikaze's were, and their motives. "Kamikaze was the name given to Japanese pilots who volunteered to fly their airplanes and intentionally crash them into US ships." (Website 2) Most of these soldiers actually signed up to do this because it was considered to be extremely honorable. Most of the well trained professional pilots were forced to become Kamikaze's near the end of the war. "In essence, they were making their planes into guided missiles on the idea that one life in exchange for serious damage to a ship was a great idea." They didn't believe they were doing evil, it was more of an honorable way to die, because they were dying for their homeland. "The word Kamikaze means "Divine Wind" in Japanese, and refers to several times in Japanese history where a wind protected them from invading fleets of ships"(Website 2). The Divine Wind was a term used in the ancient times in Japan, it was used a symbol for the Kamikaze's. They believed that what they were doing was similar to what the brave Samurai did in ancient.
Website 3 discusses the topic of why the Kamikaze's were needed. "It was adamantly believed that, because they were fighting for their Emperor God, the Kamikaze would bring them deliverance at the darkest hour, just as it had in the 13th century. In fact, the call for Kamikaze pilots drew a staggering response." They believed that everything they did was for a good reason, and had good moral. The site also includes details proving that these suicide attacks were very affective. "From October 25, 1944, to January 25, 1945, Kamikazes managed to sink two escort carriers and three destroyers. They also damaged 23 carriers, five battleships, nine cruisers, 23 destroyers and 27 other ships. American casualties amounted to 738 killed and another 1,300 wounded as the result of those attacks." It also describes the type of soldiers that were needed. "Generally, Kamikaze pilots were university students motivated by obligation, and loyalty to family and country. A typical pilot was a science student in his twenties." It's amazing to realize that most of the Kamikaze's were young adults, and were not very old.
The young Japanese men who volunteered as Kamikaze followed the Code of Bushido. Bushido was the warrior spirit worshipped by Samurai warriors in early Japanese history. By sacrificing yourself in battle you would enter the after life directly.
Wsbsite 2 talks about what the Kamikaze's were, and their motives. "Kamikaze was the name given to Japanese pilots who volunteered to fly their airplanes and intentionally crash them into US ships." (Website 2) Most of these soldiers actually signed up to do this because it was considered to be extremely honorable. Most of the well trained professional pilots were forced to become Kamikaze's near the end of the war. "In essence, they were making their planes into guided missiles on the idea that one life in exchange for serious damage to a ship was a great idea." They didn't believe they were doing evil, it was more of an honorable way to die, because they were dying for their homeland. "The word Kamikaze means "Divine Wind" in Japanese, and refers to several times in Japanese history where a wind protected them from invading fleets of ships"(Website 2). The Divine Wind was a term used in the ancient times in Japan, it was used a symbol for the Kamikaze's. They believed that what they were doing was similar to what the brave Samurai did in ancient.
Website 3 discusses the topic of why the Kamikaze's were needed. "It was adamantly believed that, because they were fighting for their Emperor God, the Kamikaze would bring them deliverance at the darkest hour, just as it had in the 13th century. In fact, the call for Kamikaze pilots drew a staggering response." They believed that everything they did was for a good reason, and had good moral. The site also includes details proving that these suicide attacks were very affective. "From October 25, 1944, to January 25, 1945, Kamikazes managed to sink two escort carriers and three destroyers. They also damaged 23 carriers, five battleships, nine cruisers, 23 destroyers and 27 other ships. American casualties amounted to 738 killed and another 1,300 wounded as the result of those attacks." It also describes the type of soldiers that were needed. "Generally, Kamikaze pilots were university students motivated by obligation, and loyalty to family and country. A typical pilot was a science student in his twenties." It's amazing to realize that most of the Kamikaze's were young adults, and were not very old.