Extending from the north, via China, down south to Borneo, and then, moving westwards from Papua New Guinea – via the Philippines – to Bangladesh and India: these images have been selected to show the extent of Japanese expansion prior-to and during WW2.
Asia Region – WW2 – and map showing military-political situation c1942.
Image via Britannica.com
Japanese Naval Ensign – Rising Sun – as seen inside Hong Kong Museum Of Coastal Defence, Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, China
Image of Japanese soldiers as seen inside Hong Kong Museum Of Coastal Defence, Tung Hei Road, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong, China
GOD-DIVINE-WIND
Birthplace of the Kamikaze – October 19/20 1944 – Santos House, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines. Vice Admiral Takijirō Ōnishi formed the Kamikaze and its first official AND successful aerial suicide attack was carried out by Kamikaze Special Attack Corps – Shikishima Unit , flying from Mabalacat East Airfield, on October 25th 1944.
Map showing location of both Kamikaze West and Kamikaze East Airfields’ Monuments.
https://www.google.com/maps/@15.2281306,120.5564331,15z. Google road map showing locations for both Kamikaze West Airfield and Kamikaze East Airfield Monuments. Due to the difficulty many people have experienced, in finding there locations, I am publishing 3 maps – all via Google – which will assist them. Both locations are about 5-6kms apart, and, if still experiencing problems, I suggest you seek the services of a local tour guide.
Map and images relating to Kamikaze West Airfield Monument
https://www.google.com/maps/@15.2175557,120.5470185,1513m/data=!3m1!1e3. Google Satellite view – Kamikaze West Airfield Monument, which lies just off Prince Balagtas Ave and adjacent to Clark Firing Range. note: Please exercise caution when in this area, particularly amongst tall grass, cave and air raid shelter regions: I was warned-off by 2 spitting cobras – advise wearing of shoes, long pants/shirt sleeves etc. Stay Safe!
Entrance to Kamikaze West Airfield – via former Clark Air Base – Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Information, Kamikaze West Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Paying homage at Kamikaze West Airfield shrine – Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Buddhist Kannon – Goddess Of Mercy – Kamikaze West Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines 
History Plaque (English), Kamikaze West Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
History Plaque (Japanese), Kamikaze West Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Map and images relating to Kamikaze East Airfield Monument
https://www.google.com/maps/@15.2390881,120.5682402,378m/data=!3m1!1e3. Google Satellite view – Kamikaze East Airfield Monument. Situated at junction of R8/E4 (North Luzon West Expressway) and Highway 2, which leaves the nothern sector of Mabalacat and heads onwards towards Tarlac City.
Information, Kamikaze East Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Torii – leading to memorial and former entrance to Kamikaze East Airfield, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Paying homage at Kamikaze East Airfield shrine, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Pilot Statue (unveiled Oct 2004) , Kamikaze East Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
History Plaque (English), Kamikaze East Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
History Plaque (Japanese), Kamikaze East Airfield Monument, Mabalacat, Pampanga, Luzon Island, Philippines
Summary
Between October 1944 and mid-August 1945 – and as a direct result of these new tactics – over 45 ships were sunk and damage inflicted on a further 400. The US navy, alone, had suffered 4850 deaths and 4920 wounded. Based on a US Air Force report: Despite radar detection, airborne interception, attrition, and massive anti-aircraft barrages, 14 percent of Kamikazes survived to score a hit on a ship; nearly 8.5 percent of all ships hit by Kamikazes sank.
Almost 4000 Japanese pilots (Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army Air Force) had made the ultimate sacrifice in defending their homeland.
Like cherry blossoms
In the spring,
Let us fall
Clean and radiant
Inoguchi
Yamamoto’s bunker complex, Rabaul, East New Britain Province, PNG. Built on the site of the tennis courts owned by the New Guinea Club.
To all Australian Military and Civilian POWs – notice signed by Japanese Commander-In-Chief. Kokopo War Museum, Rabaul
A6M2 Zero Fighter – Kokopo War Museum, Rabaul
”Naughty But Nice” B17-E41-2430. Kokopo War Museum, Rabaul.
YAIZU MONUMENT
The origin of a monument
During the Second World War when every able-bodied men had enlisted in the Japanese war efforts, a small group of young boys fishermen aged 15-16 volunteered their service to help the country by ferrying food supply to Japanese Troops of the Southern fronts.
These courageous boys were from the fishing port of Yaizu which was famous in Japan for it’s plentiful supply of bonito and tuna fishes.
In their tiny 50 tonnes worn out fishing boats the boys began ferrying food supply to the southern battlefronts.
Towards the end of the war when massive counter attacks by the Americans and the British had cause heavy defeats of the Japanese army, the young Yaizu fishermen took up arms to help defend their country.
The youthful hands which had only held fishing nets and had only been used for making KATUOBUSHI now held guns and firearms.
Between 1942-1945, 81 of the Yaizu boy fishermen lost their lives in the call of their patriotic duty.
On behalf of the war bereaved we held this service to honor and pay our deepest respect for those brave boys and to pray for their eternal peace.
This year of 1991.
(TAIJI SUZUKI)
The Chief Priest Of YAIZU Shrine
Above inscription copied from ceramic plate attached to base of YAIZU Monument, Kuching, Borneo.
Private UEKI TAISO – Japanese Forces – 4th August 1945
CWGC Maynamati War Cemetery, Bangladesh
Memorial to 19 Japanese soldiers – 18 known and 1 unknown –
CWGC Chittagong War Cemetery, Bangladesh
Japanese War Cemetery – Kuching, Borneo. My video of this cemetery can be viewed here: Japanese War Cemetery in Kuching
REPATRIATION
Former location of Plot 1B, where, in January 2012, 11 Japanese soldiers were repatriated home to Japan. Ranks/Names as follows: Private Okamoto, Private Morata Doshu, Private Yamado Kesakti, Private Komatsutomoshige, Private Hachivets Uyoshi, Private Urata Yotaka, Private Ishiwara Hiroja, Private Shotasaburo, Private Ikdmiraisao, Private Kito Zwao, and Lance Corporal Miyata Kotsuo.
CWGC Gauhati War Cemetery, India
Japanese Peace Memorial overlooking Rabaul Harbour, Papua New Guinea
Whilst Walking to Kohima War Cemetery
LEST WE FORGET