Engaging in the Making of Defense Team in Yomitan

I was rushed to build a base, there was an elephant cage (Sobe Communication Center)
In Yomitan, below it was a village called Sobe
I was made to dig out rocks by the coast of Sobe
These softened rocks that were like limestones
Unlike the black-ish rocks of Zamami
I had to dig them out with a pickaxe
The Japanese soldiers assumed they would land here
They actually had landed from there
So to prepare for the enemy’s landing
We sharpened the gentle land to make cliffs
And dug rocks from the opposite side
The Japanese Army’s plan was that when they try to land
The enemy ships would collide here and not be able to land
I guess they couldn’t imagine beforehand
The amount of artillery the U.S. Forces would have
They destroyed the cliff with their artillery
And landed
We had no information on the U.S. Forces
The trench that we made was good for nothing

Experience in the 10.10 Airstrike

I heard a commotion in the street in front of my house
Once I went there, everyone was looking towards Naha
Above Naha was completely black
A number of airplanes came through the black smoke
2 or 3 Japanese soldiers were watching together
They said it’s a Japanese performance
They never let out any bad information out
to control and manage information

Japanese Soldiers Lodging at Houses

There were a few Japanese soldiers in my house
They were all assigned to stay in civilian homes
Zamami soldiers at the time
spent the night
The Japanese soldiers that stayed in my house were like family
They treated me really well as a little boy
The U.S. Forces landed
There, was the Chishi Observatory
There was a pine forest near Chishi Observatory
Everyone gathered there, soldiers and the islanders alike
They called me out, “little boy, little boy”
As I approached, I was handed a hand grenade
“It’s not meant for you to kill yourself”
“If you’re ever found by the enemy, and have no other choice”
“Use this”
“To save yourself some time”

Airstrike on March 23

My family was apart from everyone doing farm work
My grandmother was there, but I had to
Run to the air bunker in the midst of
Machine guns shooting
I didn’t even have the chance to look up, all I could do was runaway
Those are the only memories I have
Once I got into the bunker
The U.S. soldiers shot their machine guns aimlessly to burn the mountain down
Even with those small bullets
It made the ground shake

Returning to Asa Village from Camp

It was like
We were finally free
It was the kind of atmosphere
That of young people falling in love
We had to share living spaces in our home as a group
But it was completely divided
If there were 4 rooms in one house
One family lived in a single room
There were at least three families
Living in one house

Looking Back on The Battle of Kerama

I wonder if we would’ve been able to use
A bamboo spear on the U.S. soldiers that had new modern weapons
People certainly would’ve gotten killed
Before they even got a chance to use the bamboo spears
I can’t help but wonder if the Japanese military
Hadn’t thought that out before ordering its citizens
I still can’t fathom
How the Japanese soldiers during that time, ordered citizens
To fight the American soldiers who, unlike Japanese soldiers
Had small guns that allowed them to shoot repeatedly
It was the same as telling us to go get killed
I can’t be silent about it
I still have questions
As to why they made such orders to fight
With bamboo sticks
Either way, we lost as we would’ve

Sharing Experiences of War

To teach children the importance of peace
We can’t stray away from sharing war experiences
Rather, those that experienced the war
Should actively share their stories with children
Not a single person, from the current prime minister
To congressmen, have experienced war
I’m always worried about
There being a second phase to the Pacific War
So, if there is anyone that wants to hear about
My experiences during the war, I want to share what I know

A Message to Your Children and Grandchildren’s Generation

I want Japan to be a country that doesn’t have wars
They’re talking about making a base in Yaeyama
Because of the Senkaku Islands issue
But from my experience, when there are bases
It doesn’t keep enemies away, but rather brings enemies
Politicians decide if we go to war
But there isn’t a single politician that goes to war
There may be people in the younger generations
That will become Congressmen
I hope they won’t try to resolve things through war
But resolve them through diplomacy