This is my translation and transcription of a news article from Keijo Nippo, a propaganda newspaper and mouthpiece of the government of Japan-colonized Korea. This has never been republished or translated before, to the best of my knowledge.
This is a propaganda story of a Korean grandfather who finally approves of his grandson voluntarily enlisting in the Imperial Japanese air force. The aviator's family members in this story all appear to have Japanese names except his mother Aji. We could surmise that their Korean surname was Kim, as their Japanese surname Kaneda contains the Hanja for Kim.
As we have seen in other articles, this story plays on the stereotype that Koreans have excessive filial piety, often described as 'Korean Confucianism', which supposedly prevents them from serving in the armed forces for the good of the whole country.
(Translation)
Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) September 18, 1943
His grandfather is now a big supporter
Kaneda's parents cheer on their aviator child
The family was waiting for Mr. Kaneda Mitsunaga, who was flying in, embraced by his two shining wings, on a sunny visit to his hometown at 72-132 Sungin-dong, Dongdaemun District. His father Kichihei (48), his mother Aji (아지/阿只) (47), his older brother Morinaga (25), his older sister Masako (married off), and aunt Masuko imagined Mitsunaga magnificently appearing in the clear autumn sky as they shouted, 'My son! My brother!' Talking to each other about this joyous day, they were gathered at the edge of the yard around his nephew Nobutake (4), who was holding a model airplane in his hand and excitedly shouting "Airplane! Airplane!"
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| The Kaneda family gathered around four-year-old Nobutake who is holding a model airplane. |
Just three months after Mitsunaga left Kyungbock Middle School having attended only three years, and shrugging off the reluctance of some of his relatives, he was in his military uniform with his military cap and collar insignia of a youth airman, calling out "Follow me, junior soldiers". This sunny flight for a hometown visit was a dream come true.
It was not easy to persuade Mitsunaga's grandfather about his voluntary enlistment, since his grandfather had lived through half a century of complicated historical changes. Mitsunaga said that he would atone for his temporary lack of filial piety to his grandfather by making up for it with his determination and loyalty to his ancestral land in a time of crisis.
I believe that it was ultimately his mother's words of understanding that gave strong encouragement to her son's passion for the sky. When his grandfather beheld Mitsunaga's dignified and energetic appearance during his visit this summer, his grandfather gave his full approval. The family was very happy to welcome Mitsunaga on board the plane. [Photo: Mr. Kaneda's joyous family at his home]
Airplane Donation Campaign
Aviation Memorial Day
Launched at Shimonoseki
[Shimonoseki Telephone Report] On the 20th, for Aviation Memorial Day, lecture meetings were held at five Soldier Training Centers in Shimonoseki starting at 7:00 p.m. Amid a series of extremely harsh air battles, we hardened our resolve to send as many airplanes and people as possible to the front line and take to the skies to fight decisive battles, and an explosive movement was launched for the donation of airplanes.
Source: https://www.archive.org/details/kjnp-1943-09-18
(Transcription)
京城日報 1943年9月18日
祖父、今じゃ大賛成
翼の子に歓声あがる金田君実家
晴れの郷土訪問に輝く双翼に抱かれて飛び来る一人金田光永君を待ちあぐむ、東大門区崇仁町七二ノ一三二に我が子、我が弟の壮姿を澄み切った秋空に描く父、吉平氏（四八）、母、阿只さん（四七）、兄、守永氏（二五）、姉、正子さん（出嫁）、叔母増子さんを訪えば庭先に一家揃って模型飛行機を手にしながら『ヒコウキ』『ヒコウキ』とはしゃぐ甥宣武君（四つ）を真中にして喜びの日を語り合うのだった。
光永が景福中学を三年だけで切り上げ近親の一部の気乗りしない態度を振り切って門出して僅か三ヶ月後、軍帽に少年航空兵の襟章も輝かしい軍服姿で”後輩よ我に続け”と呼びかけ、今また晴れの郷土訪問飛行とは夢のようです。
光永の志願について祖父さんは半世紀の複雑な歴史の転換を中に生きてきただけに説得することは容易ではありませんでした。光永は祖父さんに対する一時の不孝は祖国の危急に赴く決意と尽忠の至誠とをもって充分償いますといっていました。
そうした中には始終我が子の空への熱魂に強い激励を与えたものは母親の理解ある言葉であったと思います。今夏訪れた光永君の凛々しくはきはきした姿にその祖父もすっかり大賛成となったのです。そうして空の機上に光永を迎えるとのことで一家はあげてこの喜びです。【写真＝喜びに沸く金田君の実家】
翼献納の運動
航空記念日
下関に展開
【下関電話】二十日の航空記念日、下関市内の五壮丁錬成所では午後七時から各錬成所一斉に講演会を開催。凄愴苛烈な航空決戦を繰り返す今日、一機でも一人でも多く前線に送ろう。我等決戦の大空へ征かんの決意を固むると共に爆発的な飛行機献納運動を展開することとなった。
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