Key Facts
• In 1945, Amagi Town, Tokunoshima, served as a kamikaze base for Okinawa missions.
• Tadayoshi Tagawa, 87, recalls witnessing a kamikaze plane crash in Asama.
• A pilot near the crash site repeatedly shouted, “Kill me,” instead of “Help me.”
• Tagawa believes the pilot felt shame for surviving while comrades perished.
• U.S. machine gun strafing left Tagawa with lasting trauma from the sound of falling shells.
• Civilians hid rice in air-raid shelters, but soldiers consumed it due to wartime laws.
• Food shortages forced locals to eat sago palm, which Tagawa described as “terrible.”
• From October 1943 to June 1944, airport construction brought defense troops from nearby islands.
• Tagawa heard of soldiers queuing for comfort women, referred to as “Pi-ya” at the time.
• Tagawa emphasizes the importance of remembering war to prevent its recurrence.
Summary
Amagi Town, Tokunoshima, played a pivotal role during World War II as a kamikaze base for Okinawa missions. Tadayoshi Tagawa, 87, recalls witnessing a kamikaze plane crash and hearing a pilot plead for death, reflecting the shame of survival. He also survived U.S. strafing, which left him with lasting trauma. Civilians faced severe food shortages, exacerbated by soldiers consuming their supplies under wartime laws. Tagawa also recalls hearing about comfort women and the hardships of locals during the war. As one of the last generations with direct war memories, Tagawa stresses the importance of preserving these stories to prevent future conflicts.
