“Think of Koiso as your father”, Governor-General Koiso tells Korean conscripts as they are sent off to war (Jan 1944)

Governor-General Koiso, the colonial ruler of Korea from 1942 to 1944, appears in a quintessentially authoritarian strongman photo montage in this January 28, 1944 Keijō Nippo article. In the main photograph Koiso speaks with a stern expression as the self-styled “benevolent father of Korea,” while rows of Korean conscript students sit on the floor listening intently and following his every word. Their faces would gush with emotion as he welcomes them to "think of Koiso as your father", according to this propaganda article.

These students had just completed a two-week training program at the First Army Volunteer Training Center in Nohae-myeon, and Koiso had arrived to deliver a motivational send-off speech before they were dispatched to wartime labor and production sites. He had already addressed the same group at the start of their training program two weeks earlier (covered in a January 16, 1944 article that I posted separately).

Koiso’s speech is saturated with ideological language drawn from State Shinto and wartime imperial doctrine. He invokes the “True Meaning of the National Polity” (国体本義), references the “Three Divine Edicts and the Divine-Human Shrine,” and urges the conscripts to embody what he calls the “Himorogi Spirit.” These ideas reflected Koiso’s belief that Koreans could rediscover their supposed “true selves” through participation in Shinto ritual and the study of Japanese mytho-historical texts such as the Nihon Shoki. According to Koiso, Koreans’ ancient ancestors were actually Japanese, and reconnecting with these roots would allow them to transcend their present identity and unify with the Japanese nation. He described this transformation as becoming fully “penetrated with the True Meaning of the National Body” (国体本義の透徹), a concept promoted by his favored Kokugaku scholar and Shinto spiritual leader, Master Imaizumi. Koiso elaborated on these ideas in greater detail in the speech he gave at the conscripts’ induction ceremony on January 15.

The articlethe January 16 article identifies the training center as being located in Nohae-myeon in Goyang County, but the January 16 article describing the induction ceremony places Nohae-myeon in Yangju County. Since Goyang and Yangju were adjacent districts at the time, it is possible that the township lay near the county boundary or that administrative reporting differed between sources.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijō Nippo) January 28, 1944

Devote All Efforts to Increased Production
Governor-General Speaks to Conscripted Students
Departure Ceremony for Conscripted Student Trainees

The second group of conscripted students, who entered the First Army Volunteer Training Center in Nohae-myeon (노해면, 盧海面), Goyang County (고양군, 高陽郡) — the cradle of Korean volunteer soldiers — on January 15th, completed their two-week training program. On the morning of January 28th at 11 a.m., a departure ceremony was held in the training center’s small auditorium in the presence of Governor-General Koiso.

On that day, Governor-General Koiso, accompanied by Secretary Kobayashi and Director of Educational Affairs Ōno, returned the salutes of Director Kaida, instructors, and the conscripted students who lined up to welcome him at the entrance. He first withdrew to a separate room, where he received a report from Director Kaida regarding the overall situation of the special training given to the students. As he headed to the departure ceremony, he offered words of fatherly concern to those responsible for leading the students directly to their decisive battle workplaces after departing the center — speaking as the benevolent father of Korea, with heartfelt consideration for the sons who would set out.

Although the training period had been only two short weeks, under the devoted guidance of the director and instructors, combined with the conscripted students’ own single-minded dedication to the Imperial Way, the faces of the several hundred student conscript warriors lined up at the center of the hall bore a tightness and discipline entirely different from that seen at the entrance ceremony two weeks earlier. The ceremony began with the national rites.

The director took the podium and declared:

“Since entering, you have generally observed the regulations of this training center well, and the results are worthy of great commendation. This brings joy for the sake of the Imperial nation. However, it is deeply regrettable that there remains room for further reflection and effort in the matter of practical execution. This is due to the insufficiency of my own virtue and shortcomings in guidance, for which I feel profound responsibility. The workplaces to which you now go lead directly to the decisive battlefield. You must give thought to this, devote yourselves fully to your mission as conscripted warriors, empty yourselves in the sacred duties entrusted to you, and offer your utmost in order to set His Majesty’s sacred mind at ease.”

Following this address, Governor-General Koiso quietly stepped onto the platform.

Immediately after the entrance ceremony on January 15th, he had come to explain the True Meaning of the National Body and to expound at length upon the establishment of a Righteous Korea based upon the philosophy of the Three Divine Edicts and the Divine-Human Shrine. At that time he had promised, “If I have the opportunity again, I will return once more while you are here.” True to his word, he now appeared again before the conscripted students during their stay.

As usual, his eyes filled with a gentle, paternal radiance, he gazed upon the assembled students for a moment and said:

“Seeing how your gaze and bearing differ from two weeks ago fills me with heartfelt satisfaction. For this I thank the director and instructors. At the entrance ceremony, I gave you an address, but in the rush of that occasion you may not have been fully prepared to listen with open and unclouded minds, and perhaps not all of what I said penetrated. I shall not repeat it. However, there is one thing I wish to say.

“Korea, in both human and material resources, occupies an exceedingly important position in winning this Holy War. Therefore, Korea must exert its full strength in accordance with the Sacred Will. In the future, conscription will be implemented for certain age groups, and even company presidents and key executives deemed important will be conscripted, renewing their spirit and pressing forward in increased production. You who have been conscripted are distinct from those conscripted in general. If you, as conscripted warriors, grounded in the True Meaning of the National Body, are unable to advance where you ought to advance, then it would be difficult to expect much from others who differ from you.

“Your conscription period is set at two years. However, if you conduct yourselves admirably at your workplaces, I have requested that you be entrusted with responsible positions, regardless of whether you are conscripted or not.

“In the case of the first group of conscripted students, because the date of receiving their conscription notices was pressing, they were granted leave after departure. You, however, will proceed directly to your workplaces. If any of you have circumstances requiring you to return home, your company will grant leave directly. It is your own responsibility to communicate properly with your families and spare them anxiety.

“Clearly understand that a portion of the responsibility for the quality of your future efforts rests also upon me, Koiso. When I tour the various provinces, there may be opportunities for me to meet you personally at your worksites.”

At this point he lowered his voice and said with deep feeling:

“If you wish, think of Koiso as your father. You may depend on your father — but think of him also as a father who at times speaks sternly.”

A wave of emotion passed across the faces of the students. The Governor-General continued in a gentle tone, offering considerate advice regarding their future lives.

“When you begin practical work, you will keenly feel how different it is from the academic theory you have studied until now. When you encounter men of strength who have come down from the mountains, you may feel your own strength to be lacking. Yet strive to be superior in spirit. Finally, what I wish to say is this: as I told you at the entrance ceremony, you must uphold the ‘Himorogi spirit’ as a conviction of the Japanese man and never forget it. Always rise to the forefront, bearing this Himorogi spirit, and press forward.”

Thus, on the day their training concluded, the Governor-General once again emphasized the “Himorogi spirit,” exhorting these sons as they set out for their decisive battle workplaces.

Then, on behalf of the conscripted students, Mr. Toshikawa Kikō delivered a fervent reply:

“We shall, without fail, work splendidly in accordance with the words of His Excellency the Governor-General!”

The ceremony concluded at 11 a.m. with the group singing “Umi Yukaba.”

[Photo: Departure ceremony for conscripted student trainees — Governor-General Koiso speaking fervently]

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年1月28日

増産に全力を尽くせ
総督、徴用学徒に説く
徴用学徒退所式

半島志願兵揺籃の地―高陽郡盧海面第一陸軍志願兵訓練所に十五日入所した。第二次徴用学徒は二週間の錬成過程を終えて二十八日午前十一時から同訓練所小講堂で小磯総督臨席の下に退所式を挙行した。

この日小磯総督は小林秘書官、大野学務局長を伴い玄関まで堵列して迎える海田所長以下教授、教官を初め徴用学徒に挙手の礼を返しつつ、ひと先ず別室に入り、海田所長から徴用学徒に対する特別訓練一般状況に関し聴取。退所後徴用学徒を直ちに決戦職場へ引率する関係者に半島の慈父として赴く子の上に馳せる思いやりのある慈しみ溢れる注意を与えて退所式場に臨んだ。

二週間の僅かな錬成機関ではあったが、所長以下教授、教官の懇切な指導の下に徴用学徒自身の皇民道に対するひたむきな精進とが相俟って、式場の中央に整列した〇〇〇名の学徒徴用戦士の面には二週間前の入所式当時とは間違えるように引き緊まりが漂い、式は国民儀礼に始まった。所長登壇して、

『入所以来概してよく本訓練所の諸規定を遵守、その成果は大いに見るべきものがあり、皇国のため欣快とするところである。実行力に於いてもう一層の反省と努力の存するを認めることは甚だ遺憾である。これは所長自らの徳の足らざるところで指導のよろしきを得ない点があり、自責の念にかられる次第である。諸子の今から就く職場は決戦場に直接通ずる。諸子はよろしくここに思いを致し徴用戦士としての使命に徹し、与えられた神聖なる職務に己を空しうして挺身もって聖慮を安んじ奉らねばならない』旨の訓示があって、引続き小磯総督は静かに歩を壇上に運ぶ。

去る十五日入所式直後、来所して国体の本義を説き、道義朝鮮の確立を三神勅と人神殿の哲理に基礎づけて諄々と解明した総督は、その日”再び機会を得れば諸子在所中にもう一度来所する”と告げた約束に違わず、いま再び在所中の徴用学徒の前に現れたのだ。例により親しみのある慈光を両眼一杯に漂わして総督は一同の上に暫く眼を落して、

『二週間前とは異なる諸子の眼光、態度をみて監督は心から欣快に堪えない。この点所長以下に感謝する。入所式に当り諸子に一場の訓辞を与えたが慌しい入所の気持から虚心坦懐に人の話を聴き取ろうとする気が足らず、自分の話したことの全部が滲透していない憾みもあるが、敢えて重ねて言わない。只諸子に一言したいことは朝鮮は人的、物的両面の資源に於いて聖戦を勝ち抜く上に至大なる立地条件に置かされているだけに半島は全力をあげて聖慮に副い奉らねばならない。今後一定年齢層に徴用を実施、更に重要と思われる社長幹部以下を徴用し、気魄を新たにして増産に邁進してもらう。徴用を受けた諸子は一般から徴用を受けた者とは選を異にする。諸子が徴用戦士として国体本義に立脚し邁進すべきところに邁進し得られないとすれば、諸子と異る徴用戦士に期待することは困難であろうと考える。諸子の徴用期間は二箇年となっているが、職場に於いて真に立派である場合は徴用非徴用は別としても責任ある地位にもつかしむる様に要望している。

第一次徴用学徒の場合は徴用礼状を受け取った期日が切迫していたので、退所後休暇を与えたが諸子は直ちに職場に赴いて貰う。各自事情があって帰家の必要がある場合は会社から直接休暇をあたえてもらうことにする。家庭によく通信して心配を与えないのは諸子自ら取るべき処置である。諸子今後の努力成果の良否による責任の一半は小磯にも委ねられていることを明確に自覚してもらいたい。各道を巡視する場合、現場に於いて諸子と親しく接する機会もあろう』

ここで一段しんみりと声を落して、『希望せば小磯を親父と思え。親父に甘えてもいいが、時には峻厳なこともいう親父と思え』学徒の面にはさっと感動の一色が流れ、総督は更に優しい語気をもって今後の生活の上に思いやりある注意を投げるのだった。

そして、『実務につけばきょうまで学んだ学理と遊離していることを痛感するであろう。山から出た力男に接せば自己の力の足らざるを感ずるであろうが、自ら精神的に優っていることに努めてもらいたい。最後に言いたいことは入所式当時にも言った「神籬精神」を奉持して行くことこそ日本男子の信念として忘れてはならない。常に陣頭に起ってこの神籬精神を奉持して邁進してもらいたい』と訓練を終る日、再び神籬精神を強調して決戦職場に赴くわが子を悟す総督であった。

それより徴用学徒を代表して利川基弘君から、『断じて総督閣下のお言葉に副うよう、立派に働きます』と烈々たる答辞があって、”海行かば”を合唱同十一時閉式した。【写真＝徴用学徒訓練退所式、烈々と説く小磯総督】

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive

When all of Korea was forced to bow to Ise Grand Shrine and vow before the Shinto gods to annihilate Imperial Japan’s enemies: a chilling moment at 1:22 PM on December 12, 1943

On December 12, 1943, during one of the darkest chapters of Imperial Japanese colonial rule over Korea, the entire peninsula was mobilized for a synchronized prayer toward the Ise Grand Shrine in central Japan. At precisely 1:22 PM, every Korean was compelled to bow towards the east to swear a vow to the enshrined pantheon of Shinto gods to annihilate Imperial Japan's enemies, the U.S. and Britain. This extraordinary event, designed to demonstrate loyalty to the Empire, marked a departure from the usual rituals of the time.

This event marked the one-year anniversary of the Emperor's secret journey to the Ise Grand Shrine on December 12, 1942 to pray for victory at Guadalcanal. At the time, it was considered very unprecedented for the Emperor himself to stand alone before the Inner Shrine sanctuary at Ise to recite a prayer for victory. Contemporary press reports noted that this didn't happen even during the First Sino-Japanese War or the Russo-Japanese War (link). 

Under colonial rule, daily life in Korea was punctuated by strict, state-imposed ceremonies. At 7:00 AM each morning, Koreans were required to perform remote worship (宮城遥拝) toward the Imperial Palace. At noon, they observed a moment of silence (正午の黙祷) to honor Japan’s war dead. These two times of the day were usually marked by loud sirens. Every Korean was expected to participate, with members of local neighborhood cells (patriotic groups) strictly organized to ensure compliance. Even buses and trains stopped at that moment, forcing passengers to partake.

On October 23, 1944, Koreans would once again be mobilized for a synchronized prayer, this time toward Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine. At precisely 9:15 AM, every Korean was compelled to bow in reverence to Imperial Japan’s war dead, who were enshrined as gods. 

This forced mass worship was a chilling manifestation of Imperial Japan’s assimilation policies, aimed at erasing Korean identity and replacing it with blind devotion to the Empire. The ritualistic nature, combined with the total control over public and private life, reflects the deep cultural and spiritual subjugation that Koreans endured.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) December 13, 1943

A Perfectly Solemn Moment
A Vow of Certain Victory Across Every Corner of the Korean Peninsula
Yesterday Was the Day of Nationwide Shrine Worship

At 1:22 p.m. on December 12, 1942, the sacred moment when His Majesty the Emperor most reverently paid homage at the Ise Grand Shrine—this day, this very hour, was humbly recalled. One full year later, at that same moment, the one hundred million subjects standing firm on the home front, each from their respective places, reverently turned their gaze and worshiped toward the distant land of Ise.

On this day, here too on the beloved Korean peninsula, twenty-five million people together raised the national flag at every household. Beneath the crystal-clear winter sky, the pure Hinomaru vividly re-created the emotion of that day and that hour, remaining utterly pure and utterly solemn.

Fired with single-minded fighting spirit to annihilate the hated enemy, America and Britain, Sunday was no obstacle. In every workplace, selfless devotion to production on the home front continued unabated. Then, at last, 1:22 p.m. arrived, and the radio solemnly announced the time of nationwide shrine worship.

Ah, at that moment, without distinction of age or gender, those walking the streets, those operating machines, those working in the kitchen, all alike straightened their collars, set their expressions firm, oriented their posture toward the distant east, and quietly, quietly bowed their bodies low. They offered up a burning fighting spirit, resolved to strike and strike until the enemy was utterly destroyed.

For ten seconds, twenty seconds, heads bowed deeply and ever more deeply, the noble Imperial Presence advancing toward the land of Ise seemed to revive vividly and reverently within the hearts of the people. The Emperor’s august resolve, solemnly pledging before the distant Imperial Ancestors the inevitable destruction of the vile enemy, returned with overwhelming force to the hearts of the common people.

As they silently intoned, “Strike and strike until they are destroyed!” the fighting spirit overflowed through the entire bodies, emotion surging until hot tears streamed down their cheeks. Raising neither head nor gaze, focusing the mind’s eye, they vividly saw the heroic spirits who perished gloriously in the Battle of Attu, and the loyal spirit of Admiral Yamamoto, who soared heavenward amid the dense clouds of the South Pacific, pointing unmistakably across the Pacific Ocean.

We shall annihilate them! The American and British demons who must be struck down without mercy! Even should they come advancing, piloting aircraft no more formidable than dragonflies, escorting funeral fleets resembling earthen coffins, not a single plane nor a single ship shall be allowed to return in satisfaction. The sacred land of the Divine Realm shall never be violated; enduring with heaven and earth, it is eternally indestructible. We, the one hundred million, will resolutely defend it to the end.

If they rely on numbers, we shall meet them with numbers. If they rely on intrigue, we shall counter with intrigue. Thus, we solemnly and forcefully swore again and again to pursue the demons of America and Britain, the enemies of all humanity, to the very ends of the earth.

The winter sky remained endlessly deep and clear. The rising-sun flags shone ever more brilliantly. The twenty-five million people of the Korean peninsula, bodies and souls devoted to the nation in selfless sacrifice, offered worship toward the distant land of Ise with resolute determination to fight through and win even the third year of the Sacred War.

(Photograph: Silent prayer of production warriors)

[Transcription]

京城日報 1943年12月13日
ぴたり厳粛の一瞬
半島津々浦々に必勝の誓い
きのう総神拝の日

昭和十七年十二月十二日午後一時二十二分畏くも天皇陛下伊勢神宮御親拝の御時刻ーこの日この刻を謹みて顧み奉る一億銃後蒼生は満一年後の同時刻、各自在所より恭しく遥かなる伊勢路の彼方を拝し奉ったのである。この日愛国半島でも二千五百万斉しく戸毎に国旗を掲げれば澄み渡りたる冬空に清浄の日の丸はあの日あの刻の感激をそのまま再現してあくまで清くあくまで厳粛である。

宿敵米英撃滅のひたぶる闘魂を昂揚して日曜日もものかは、各職域に銃後生産の滅私奉公を続ければ、やがて午後一時二十二分ーラジオは厳かに総神拝の時刻を告げるのであった。ああこの刻、老幼を問わず、男女の差別なく道往く人も、機械を操る人も厨房に在る人も一斉に襟を正し面を引き緊め遥なる東方に姿勢を整え静かに静かに体を伏し撃ちてし止まむ。撃ちてし止まむ火と燃える闘魂を捧げ奉ったのであった。十秒二十秒深く深く頭をうなだるれば尊き玉体を遥けき伊勢路に進めさせ給い醜敵必滅を御力強く遠つ御祖に御誓い遊ばされた宸襟のほどが、ひしひしと民草の胸内に勿体なくも蘇って来るのであった。

撃ちてし止まむ、撃ちてし止まむと念ずれば闘魂いよいよ五体に溢れ激情は熱涙となって頬を伝う。更に頭もえ上げず心眼を凝視すればアツツ島に玉砕せる英魂、南太平洋の密雲に天翅けりし山本元帥の忠魂がまざまざと太平洋の彼方を指さすのである。殲滅せん、米鬼、撃たて止むべき英鬼、蜻蛉に等しき飛機を操るとともに土造に似たる葬送艦隊を進め来るとも一機一艦たりとも満足には帰さじ、神州不犯の聖地は天壌と共に永劫不滅われ等一億断じて護り抜かん。

量を恃まば量を以て、謀略には謀略を以て人類の宿敵米英鬼共を地球の涯まで追い撃たんーと厳にまた強く断じて断じて誓い奉るのであった。冬空は飽くまで深く澄み日章旗は更に清々、二千五百万民草の五体また殉国滅私、聖戦第三年目をも勝ち抜かんとの決意も凛々と遥かなる伊勢路を奉拝したのであった。

【写真＝増産戦士の黙祷】

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive

See also:

• When all of Korea was forced to bow to Yasukuni Shrine to worship Imperial Japan’s war dead as gods: a chilling moment at 9:15 AM on October 23, 1944 (link)
• Everyone in Korea was required to immediately stop exactly at 7 am for the Kyūjō Yōhai prayer vowing loyalty to the Emperor and at noon for the moment of silence honoring Imperial soldiers, even cars and trains had to immediately stop in the middle of traffic at the same time for prayers (Aug. 1943) (link)
• Koreans in Seoul streetcar observing mandatory daily Moment of Silence at noon in 1943 to honor Imperial soldiers; caption reads “they offer infinite gratitude for the blood-soaked toil of the generals who are fighting valiantly to destroy the U.S. and Britain on the pathetically brutal front lines” (link)
• Imperial Japanese cartoon from 1943 shows how Koreans were forced to bow to the Emperor every morning, speak Japanese, and accept poverty without complaints (link)

A Rare 1944 Korean–Japanese Bilingual Propaganda Poster Promoting Forced Labor Conscription

This is a very rare Korean–Japanese bilingual wartime propaganda poster, published in Keijo Nippo (Gyeongseong Ilbo) on October 7, 1944. Keijo Nippo was the official propaganda mouthpiece of the Imperial Japanese colonial regime that ruled Korea from 1905 to 1945.

In the four years that I have been reading and archiving articles from this newspaper, this is the only bilingual poster I have ever encountered. The poster features the bilingual lyrics of a song praising “conscripted workers (応徴士),” referring to young Koreans who were being forcibly mobilized for military labor under the so-called White Paper Conscription (白紙召集) system. 

I originally posted about this poster about two years ago, when the only copies available were grainy microfiche scans from the Internet Archive and the National Library of Korea. Since then, the Digital Newspaper Archive at the National Library of Korea has released high-resolution digital scans of Keijo Nippo, allowing a much clearer view of this poster. The Hangul text is now much more legible, so I am updating this post to share this improved copy and to revisit its historical significance with a clearer image.

The White Paper summons was used for various forms of “educational conscription” and training-related mobilization, such as 教育召集 (educational conscription), 演習召集 (training mobilization), and 簡閲点呼 (roll-call inspection). Both the Imperial Army and Navy could issue these white-paper orders, which in practice became a form of compulsory labor service for Korean men.

According to the article, the poster was distributed across all of Korea to raise “home-front morale.” Yet the context makes it chilling. Just months earlier, in April–May 1944, the colonial regime had launched a campaign to “Drive Hangul out of the streets!”, removing Korean-language signs from public view. This makes the poster especially striking—it was one of the very few instances of Hangul text that was officially sanctioned and publicly displayed by the colonial authorities.

For ordinary Koreans, however, the poster’s cheerful and “forward-looking” tone would have felt deeply insulting. They knew from bitter experience what conscription meant: fathers and sons torn away from their families for grueling labor in mines, factories, and construction sites, leaving wives and children destitute. Even though women were not officially subject to the White Paper summons, many feared being swept up into the system—so much so that some rushed into marriage to avoid possible mobilization or being coerced into military sex work under the Imperial forces.

The following are the original lyrics with English translations, as well as the Korean text (uncertain portions in double brackets):

おうちょう（應徵）戦士 Conscription Soldier
お父さん 萬歳 Father, may you live long!
兄ちゃん 萬歳 Elder brother, may you live long!
うれしいな 白紙應召 How joyful it is, White Paper Conscription!
大進撃 勝って下さい Please win the great offensive!
送れ 送れ Send them, send them!
がっちり しっかり Firmly, steadfastly,
憎い米英 やっつける Defeat the hated Britain and America!

응증전사
증응에 나가신
우리 아버지 만세
우리 형님 만세
참말노 기쁜 증응
[[작고]] 만히보내라
다가치 힘을 합하야
[[원수]]에미국 을때려부시라

[Translation of accompanying explanatory text]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) October 7, 1944
“Wall Newspaper Praising Labor Conscripts”

The labor conscripts advance. Believing that it is an honor second only to that of a soldier, the labor conscripts hurry to factories and mines. Their fathers, mothers, and children who see them off cry out energetically, “Do your best! We will take care of the rest!”

The League of Mobilization in Korea distributed this scene throughout all of Korea in order to boost morale on the home front. [Photo: Wall Newspaper]

[Transcription of accompanying explanatory text]

京城日報 1944年10月7日
応徴士讃う壁新聞

応徴士は進む。兵隊さんに次ぐ名誉だと応徴士は工場に鉱山に急いでいる。送る父や母や子供は元気で”頑張れ、あとは引受けた”と力強く叫ぶ。国民総力聯盟はこの風景を全鮮に配布して銃後の士気を昂揚した。【写真＝壁新聞】

See also:

• Koreans tried to bribe their way out of Imperial Japan’s forced labor conscription, but patriotic student informants turned them in (June 1945) (link)
• Terrified by rumors of forced labor conscription under the Imperial Army, young Korean women rushed into marriages to escape, prompting officials to hold April 1944 press conference to deny and deflect (link)
• In 1944, Imperial Japan launched an “all-out campaign” to erase Hangul from public life, mobilizing teachers and Korean youth to destroy Korean signs, books, and even phonograph records (link)
• Previous post about the bilingual poster based on blurry microfiche copies (link)

Credit to u/wiseau7 for providing the Korean transcription of this song.

Terrified by rumors of forced labor conscription under the Imperial Army, young Korean women rushed into marriages to escape, prompting officials to hold April 1944 press conference to deny and deflect

This is a 1944 article featuring a damage-control press conference held by Imperial Japanese authorities to publicly address growing panic among Koreans over rumors of an impending forced labor conscription of young unmarried women. Panicked Korean women had reportedly rushed into marriages to avoid being drafted for compulsory labor service with the Imperial Army or Navy under the White Paper Conscription system. The situation apparently became so alarming that the regime felt compelled to hold this press conference to explicitly declare, “There is no female conscription.”

Original Caption: Political Affairs Chief Tanaka speaking with reporters

The rush into marriage seems to suggest a level of desperation and fear that goes way beyond a mere reluctance to work. Why were so many young women so terrified of labor conscription with the Imperial Japanese military that they chose marriage as their only escape? Perhaps they already knew of the grim dangers of forced labor under Imperial Japanese military control: sexual abuse and violence. 

Under the White Paper Conscription system, white paper summons (hakushi, 白紙) were issued to men ordering them to report for “patriotic training” at factories, farms, or construction sites under Imperial Army or Navy command. In reality, however, these so-called training mobilizations functioned as compulsory labor deployments-once a white paper arrived, there was virtually no way to refuse.

Interestingly, the same press conference also touched on another controversy then roiling Korean society: the demotion of a Korean colonial official, Mr. Karasukawa Kyōgen (a.k.a. Jong Gyo-won, 정교원, 鄭僑源), from a high-ranking executive post to a county magistrate. Many saw this as blatant ethnic discrimination by the Japanese authorities. Others, however, despised him as a collaborator. Indeed, he was later arrested as a national traitor after liberation.

TL;DR: Many Korean women were desperately rushing into marriages to avoid forced labor conscription with the Imperial Japanese military, which caused a public outcry and forced Imperial authorities to hold a press conference to explicitly deny that women would be forcibly conscripted.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) April 6, 1944

Outrageous! Marriage to Evade Labor Conscription

“Hey!” As usual, with his cheerful face, Political Affairs Chief Tanaka appeared in the reception room. It was 11 a.m. on April 5th, his first press meeting after returning from the Assembly. “I have something I would like to speak about today,” the Chief began in a bright tone.

[Photo: Political Affairs Chief Tanaka speaking with reporters]

Political Affairs Chief Tanaka Speaks to the Press

“With regard to general labor conscription, there have been rumors that women will also be conscripted, and it seems that, because of this, there has suddenly been an increase in the number of women marrying to evade conscription. This is unacceptable. There is no such thing as labor conscription for women.

“If it is a proper and genuine marriage, that is a happy thing, of course. But to rush into marriage merely to avoid labor conscription is unbecoming in the current national situation. While men are fighting bravely on the battlefront, it is the women who must naturally take their place and protect the home front. The notion of marrying because of unwillingness to work must be completely rejected. In Tokyo and elsewhere, daughters of respectable families are already actively taking up work.”

Although women are not subject to compulsory labor, Tanaka emphasized that women should voluntarily step forward to work. Then the conversation shifted as he began criticizing bad habits in Korea, giving concrete examples.

“In Korea, there has long been a bad habit of speaking ill of others when they are doing well,” he said. “Recently, when Mr. Karasukawa Kyōgen (a.k.a. Jong Gyo-won, 정교원, 鄭僑源) from the Agricultural Land Development Corporation was appointed as county magistrate, there were immediately people who began to slander him.

“Mr. Karasukawa is not merely an executive in name, but a hands-on leader. Burning with the desire to reform administration at the grassroots level, he had long wanted to serve as a county magistrate. When the Government-General confirmed his determination, we found it to be firm and resolute, and so he was appointed to the post. There are many similar cases like this in mainland Japan, and even the township (myeon) leaders in Korea have carried out grassroots administration reform as well.”

“Yet some people say things like, ‘See? Even Mr. Karasukawa has been demoted from an executive to a county magistrate,’ as though he had been treated poorly. Some even personally attack him. But the idea that he was dismissed because he is Korean is utterly false. We, for our part, look forward to the fine work that County Magistrate Karasukawa will do.”

Amid this very informal conversation, the Political Affairs Chief called upon all 25 million residents of the Korean peninsula to engage in self-reflection.

Finally, turning once again to another topic, he expressed satisfaction in discussing the South Pyongan Industrial Expansion Promotion Association, which has become a major driving force in strengthening war production, and spoke proudly of the united effort of the military, government, and civilians in South Pyongan Province that he hoped to extend throughout all of Korea.

Afterward, just past noon, the Chief disappeared into the adjoining office.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年4月6日

以っての外だ
徴用逃れの結婚とは

”やあー”と、例によって元気な顔で田中政務総監は応接室に現れた。五日午前十一時、議会から帰って初の記者団との会見である。『きょうはこちらから話したいことがある』と総監は朗らかに語りはじめた。【写真＝記者団と語る田中総監】

田中政務総監：記者団に語る

一般徴用に関聯して、女子に徴用があるという噂によって徴用をまぬかれようと急に結婚が増えだしたということだが、これはいけない。女子に徴用はないのである。正当な結婚であればおめでたいことだが、徴用を免れんがために結婚を急ぐということは時局下よろしくないことだ。男子は戦線で奮闘しているとき、当然男に代って銃後を護るべき女子が、働くのがいやだから結婚する、などという考えは絶対に排撃しなければならぬ。東京などでは既に相当な家庭の子女がどしどし働いている。

徴用はされずとも女子自ら進んで働くことを促す監督であった。話題は一転し朝鮮の悪癖を衝き実例を挙げて語り出す。

朝鮮には昔から、他人がよくなると悪く言う、という悪い癖がある。最近も農地開発営団の烏川僑源君が郡守に出たら、早速これを悪くいう者がある。烏川君は平重役ではなく実務をもった重役だが、本人は末端行政の改革をやってみたい思念に燃え、かねて郡守でもやりたいと思っていたのである。総督府でも本人の決意の程をたしかめたところ、牢固たる信念が判ったので今度出てもらったわけである。内地でもこんな例は沢山あり、朝鮮の面長でも実行したのである。ところが『それみよ、烏川君も重役から郡守に出された』などといかにも冷遇したかの如くいう者がある。また烏川君の個人攻撃をやる者もあるが、朝鮮人であるが故に退けたなどということは全くなく、我々としては今後烏川郡守の活躍に期待しているのである。

非常にくだけた話の中に、総監は半島二千五百万民衆の反省を求めるのである。ここで話題は再び転じ、戦力増強に大きな推進力となっている平南生拡推進会の問題にふれ、平南の軍官民一体の総力態勢を全鮮的に押し拡げようと満足気に語り、総監は正午過ぎ隣の総監室に姿を消した。

Source: National Library of Korea, Digital Newspaper Archive 

See also: 

• Koreans tried to bribe their way out of Imperial Japan’s forced labor conscription, but patriotic student informants turned them in (June 1945) (link)

In May 1945, Imperial newspapers in Korea described a hypothetical atomic bomb using nuclear chain reactions that could destroy an entire fleet with a “single matchbox-sized device”

I have been going through Imperial Japanese newspaper articles from over 80 years ago that the National Archives of Korea has recently released through its digital archive, and I came across some very unusual coverage of atomic bombs that really challenges conventional historical narratives. These papers give us a fascinating window into what kind of current event knowledge an educated newspaper-reading public in Korea (and by extension Japan) might have had during the final year of the war.

For example, in December 1944, the Keijo Nippo carried a report claiming that Nazi Germany, under Field Marshal Rundstedt, had already used an “atomic bomb.” Whether this was somehow based on an actual battle event is unclear.

Then, in May 1945, the paper ran a feature on novel weapons being developed by scientists at Keijo Imperial University (the predecessor of Seoul National University). The scientist featured, Professor Honda, was primarily an engine specialist, but he gave an extraordinary explanation of novel weapons—mentioning both rocket torpedoes and atomic bombs. His description of the atomic bomb is strikingly accurate: he explicitly states that it works by exploding the nucleus through a nuclear chain reaction, and that such a device, no bigger than a matchbox, could obliterate an entire fleet in a single stroke. He also acknowledged that Japanese scientists were in an invisible race against “enemy scientists”—clearly suggesting the United States.

This is remarkable, because Honda’s remarks reveal far more technical detail about nuclear weapons than was available to the general American public at the same time in May 1945, when the Manhattan Project was still a closely guarded secret.

One especially interesting comment from Honda is: “There was a time when atomic bombs caused a stir among the public, but before we knew it, they disappeared as mere talk of the town.” This may suggest that the December 27, 1944 report about a German atomic bomb was widely discussed in Korea before being dismissed as rumor.

So by the time the Keijo Nippo reported on the Hiroshima bombing on August 8, 1945, describing it as a “novel-type weapon,” it is very possible that educated readers in Korea already suspected that it was an atomic bomb. They may have understood that it was compact, devastating, and based on nuclear chain reactions. And while this kind of knowledge would have been clearest among the educated, newspaper-reading class, word of mouth could well have spread such ideas to the general public.

TL;DR: Imperial Japanese newspapers in Korea were already talking about atomic bombs months before Hiroshima. A December 1944 article claimed Nazi Germany had used one, and a May 1945 article quoted a Keijo Imperial University professor explaining how atomic bombs work—by exploding the nucleus with a chain reaction, compact but powerful enough to destroy an entire fleet. This was more technical detail than the American public knew at the time, and suggests that by August 1945, educated readers in Korea could have recognized Hiroshima’s destruction as the result of an atomic bomb.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) December 29, 1944

Germany Uses Atomic Bomb

(Lisbon, 27th – Dōmei News Agency)
A dispatch from London reports: A German radio station announced on the 27th that the German forces under the command of Field Marshal Rundstedt are currently using atomic bombs.

According to the broadcast, in the areas where atomic bombs have been dropped, all plant and animal life has ceased to exist. Forests have been completely incinerated, vast areas have been turned into scorched earth, and anything caught in the massive blast winds is said to have been pulverized into dust.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) May 26, 1945

Slaughtering an Entire Fleet with a Single Blast
The Emergence of Atomic Bombs is Also Possible
Under the Z-Flag, We Shall Die (Part 1): The Novel Weapons Edition

May 27 marks the 40th Navy Memorial Day. In various parts of Seoul, the Z-flag already flutters proudly, and under this symbol of our forefathers’ glorious traditions and spirit, a surge of fighting resolve is rising. The decisive battle over Okinawa is intensifying day by day, and Korea, too, is hurrying to fortify itself in body and spirit in preparation for the day it becomes a battlefield.

This year’s Navy Memorial Day carries even deeper and more intense significance for our hearts. “The fate of the Empire hangs on this battle"—this phrase has once again become a reality we now face forty years later. Our forefathers, through their victory in that one battle, left behind a brilliant history for us to inherit. Now, as the Z-flag is raised high once again, we, too, pledge under it: “We shall win this battle, resolutely and without fail.” I saw that pledge and surging fighting spirit in the laboratory of the Department of Science and Engineering at Keijo Imperial University.

Scientists, too, are fighting with their entire souls, driven by an ardent wish to complete weapons that will strike without fail. Weapons that will annihilate hundreds and thousands of incoming enemy task forces and aircraft—this is the fervent hope of the entire nation, and it now rests heavily on the shoulders of the scientists. In the foothills of Mt. Bukhan, far from the dust of the city, Professor Honda of the university’s Department of Science and Engineering continues his unseen battle with enemy scientists, devoting himself to researching special internal combustion engines. He paused his experiments to speak passionately about the spirit and aspirations of Japan’s scientists.

"Novel weapons do not appear easily," he began. "There is always a large gap between theory and reality, and we must wait for the sudden inspiration that breaks through after long and difficult thought. Once that new direction is found, the entire power of the nation must be mobilized to carry out mass production—both in quality and quantity."

On the professor’s face was a stern expression, as if reproaching the public for harboring naive hopes about novel weapons.

"The weakness of rocket artillery lies in its imprecise targeting. Right now, scientists around the world are working on how to accurately hit targets using rockets, which are notable for their high speed and simple launching mechanisms. Research aimed at improving the precision of existing weapons may appear plain compared to flashy new inventions, but it is no less important. If we can make rocket projectiles accurate, not a single one of those hateful enemy planes would make it back after flying over our seas or homeland. When considering weapons, we must think on two fronts: First, improving the quality and quantity of existing weapons; second, the appearance of completely novel weapons that catch the enemy off guard. The improvement of existing weapons can hold decisive importance. We should reflect deeply on the example of Germany, which was destroyed despite its novel weapons."

"But Japanese scientists, too, are pouring their entire bodies and souls into their efforts day and night. What might emerge from this is unpredictable. Ideas that once belonged to fantasy or theory confined to the laboratory can suddenly become real. Science has always had a history of breaking through difficulties, so I believe we can place absolute faith in the level of Japanese science."

Although Professor Honda spoke with scholarly humility, he gave a powerful explanation of the real possibility of highly accurate novel torpedoes and atomic bombs capable of annihilating an entire fleet with a single strike.

"As for torpedoes, the enemy is said to have recently developed something like a rocket torpedo. It is launched from an aircraft and flies at high speed through the air for half the distance, then rushes through the water for the rest. Because of its speed, it is believed to have features like reduced deflection from water currents—but the details are unclear. Of course, in Japan, we cannot publicly reveal these developments, but many new innovations are being steadily implemented."

"There was a time when atomic bombs caused a stir among the public, but before we knew it, they disappeared as mere talk of the town. However, scientists are continuing their research into them seriously. Theoretically, they are firmly grounded, and even in experiments, it is possible to photograph the explosion of atoms."

The article then explores the astonishing potential of the atomic bomb—a single matchbox-sized device that could blow enemy warships to pieces.

"The atomic bomb is like someone who has only been eating the flesh of a peach discovering that the seed inside contains even more incredible nourishment. Just as such discovery would completely be a food revolution, the use of atomic energy would represent a complete revolution in the way we use matter, and that could bring upheaval to the history of civilization."

"Up until now, human life has relied on three main types of energy: First, fire; second, the use of explosions to power things like guns and engines; and third, electricity for communication and power. But all of these use the electrons that orbit the outside of atoms. They do not use the real inner power of atoms—the nucleus. The atomic bomb explodes this nucleus. Future research must focus on how to achieve a chain reaction of the nuclei. That is the key. I hope people will believe in the principle that science, after long hardship, can suddenly leap forward and overcome even the most difficult obstacles."

Professor Honda thus emphasized the confident and indomitable spirit of Japan’s scientists. As Navy Memorial Day approaches, this is the fighting spirit being sent from the home front.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijo Nippo) August 8, 1945

Did the Enemy Use a Novel-Type Bomb?
Small Number of B-29s Raid, Damage to Hiroshima City

Imperial Headquarters Announcement (August 7, 1945, 3:30 PM)

1. On August 6, Hiroshima City sustained considerable damage as a result of an attack by a small number of enemy B-29 aircraft.

2. It appears that the enemy may have used a novel-type bomb in this attack, but the details are currently under investigation.

[Transcription]

京城日報 1944年12月29日

独、原子爆弾を使用

【リスボン二十七日同盟】ロンドン来電＝ドイツの一放送局は二十七日ルントシュテット元帥麾下の独軍が目下原子爆弾を使用している旨放送した。右放送によれば原子爆弾が投下された地域は一切の動植物が生存を停止し森林は焼きつくされ広大な地域を焦土と化し、大爆風に当ったものは誰でも粉微塵になってしまうといわれる。

京城日報 1945年5月26日

一発で全艦隊屠る
原子爆弾の出現も可能
Z旗の下に死なん（上）新兵器篇

二十七日は第四十回海軍記念日である。京城の街の處々には早くもZ旗が翩翻とひるがえり父祖の築きあげた輝かしき伝統と魂に続かむとする戦意はこのZ旗の下に澎湃として沸き起った。沖縄をめぐる決戦の様相は日に日に苛烈の度を加え朝鮮もまた戦場と化する日に備え物心挙げての要塞化が急がれている。

この日に迎えようとする海軍記念日の意義はそれだけ深く強烈にわれらの胸を打つ『皇国の興廃この一戦にあり』は再び四十年後のいまわが皇国が直面した現実である。われらが父祖はこの一戦を勝利をもっていろどり輝かしき歴史をわれらに継がしめた。この日高らかに掲げられたZ旗にわれらもまた誓う『この一戦を断乎勝利へ』とこの誓いと沸る戦意を城大理工学部の研究室に見た。

科学者も精魂をつくして闘っている必生必中の兵器を完成しようとの熱願、来襲機動部隊や敵機が幾百幾千たりともこれを全滅させる兵器―この全国民の熱願はいま科学者の双肩にひっしとのしかかっている。ここ都塵離れた北漢山麓に眦決して敵科学者と見えざる戦いを続ける城大理工学部に特殊内燃機関の研究に没頭する本多教授は実験の手を休めて沸る科学者の戦意と抱負を籠め乍ら語るのだった。

『新兵器は容易に現れるものではない。理論と現実には常に大きな隔たりがあり科学者の永い苦慮を通して突如打開される霊感に俟たなければならない。次にはこの打開された新しい方向には国家の総力を挙げた量と質とへの生産の努力が展開されるのだ』

こう語り出した教授の面には国民が唯新兵器に軽い甘い気持を叱責するような厳しい表情がある。

『ロケット砲の欠点はその照準の不確実にあるが今世界の科学者は如何にしてこの高速度と簡易発射の特長を持つロケットを目的物に命中させるかを研究している。現在ある兵器を単に精度の向上を図るといった研究は奇抜な新兵器の発明よりも地味であるが決して新兵器の発明に劣るものではない。もしロケット弾の精度を決定的にするならばあの憎い敵機を海に本土に邀えて一機も無事に帰えすことはないのだ。兵器は第一に古いものの質と量の向上、第二に全く新しい敵の意表を突く兵器の出現、この二つの面から考えなければならない。古いものの質と量との向上は時に絶対的意義を持つのであって新兵器になお殪れた独逸を深く考えてみねばならない』

『しかし日本科学者も日夜その全身魂をぶちこんで努力しているから何が生れるかは予想も出来ない。全く空想或は実験室の理論であったものが突然現実化する。科学は常に窮しては打開して来た歴史であるから我が日本の科学水準には絶対期待してもよいと思う』

教授の学者らしい謙遜の言葉は必生必中の新型魚雷や精鋭よく一発で全艦隊を屠る原子爆弾の可能性を力強く説くのだった。

『魚雷ではロケット魚雷というものを最近敵で作ったらしい。これは飛行機から放たれた魚雷が行程の半分を高速で飛行し、後の半分を水中で突進するが、速度の大、水流による偏流の減少などの特長があると思われるが、その詳細は不明だ。日本では勿論公表出来ないが新しい工夫はどしどし実施されている。原子爆弾は一時国民に騒がれたが何時の間にか一時の街の話題と消えさったようだ。しかし科学者は之についても真剣に研究を進めている。理論的には厳たる事実であり実験的には原子の爆発を確実に写真に撮ることさえ出来るのだ』

マッチ箱一つで敵艦船を吹き飛ばすというあまりに不思議なこの原子爆弾の威力は掘り下げられる。

『原子爆弾は桃の肉ばかり喰っていた人間が種子の中にもっとすばらしい栄養を発見したようなものだ。これは全く食物の革命だろう。この通り原子エネルギーの利用は全く物質利用の革命であり文明史の動転を意味するほどのものだ。要するに今までの人間生活は三つの面を出でない「火」の利用がその一つ。鉄砲や発動機等を成功させた「爆発」の利用がその二。通信や動力などに活用せられた電気がその三つ。ところが之は総て物質原子の外側を廻る「電子」の力であって原子の真の中味である「核」の力ではない。原子爆弾はこの核を爆発させればよいのであって、今後の研究は核の連鎖反応を如何にして実現するかにあると言ってもよいと思う。科学は長い苦心の後突如飛躍的に難関を打開するという命題には大いに期待してもらいたい』

教授は自身満々たる科学者の精神を強調するのだった。海軍記念日を迎えこれは銃後へ贈る闘魂である。

京城日報 1945年8月8日

敵、新型爆弾を使用か
B29少数来襲、広島市に被害

大本営発表（昭和二十年八月七日十五時三十分）

一、昨八月六日広島市は敵B29少数機の攻撃に依り相当の被害を生じたり。

二、敵は右攻撃に新型爆弾を使用せるものの如きも詳細目下調査中なり。

Source: National Library of Korea – Digital Newspaper Archive

21-year-old Kamikaze pilot Han Jeong-sil (한정실, 韓鼎實) delivering his last testament for radio broadcast before flying to die off Okinawa on June 6, 1945 (inset shows Kamikaze pilot 박동훈, 朴東薫 who died in March 1945)

In June 1945, as Imperial Japan was losing a brutal war against the United States, Korean support for the empire was rapidly unraveling. For years, the Japanese colonial regime had enforced State Shinto and mandatory emperor worship across Korea—forcing everyone, including schoolchildren, to bow toward the Imperial Palace in Tokyo every morning at 7 am in a ritual known as Kyūjō Yōhai (宮城遥拝). But it was becoming clear that no amount of coerced ritual could manufacture genuine Korean loyalty, which the authorities were going to need if the general Korean civilian populace was going to be mobilized into makeshift militias to fight Allied ground forces invading Korea by land.

Original caption: Corporal Kiyohara making an appeal to all Koreans for certain victory

So in desperation, Japan's colonial authorities turned to a new strategy: manufacturing Korean war heroes. Beginning in early 1945, the Keijō Nippo newspaper began idolizing young Korean kamikaze pilots who had died in suicide missions for the Empire. The first two were Matsui Hideo (Korean name In Jae-ung, died on November 29, 1944) and Lim Jang-su (died on December 7, 1944), whose cults of loyalty were pushed hard in January 1945. The Korean war heroes were not limited to deceased kamikaze pilots — one was Park Gwan-bin (박관빈, 朴官彬), a Private First Class in the Imperial Army who sacrificed himself destroying an Allied machine gun nest with an anti-tank explosive in Myanmar.

By June, two more Korean kamikaze pilots had become posthumous heroes: 21-year-old Kiyohara Teijitsu (Korean name Han Jeong-sil, died on June 6, 1945 off Okinawa), born in North Hamgyong province and Seoul resident, and 21-year-old Ōkawa Masaaki (Korean name Park Dong-hun, died on March 29, 1945 off Okinawa). But there was a new propaganda innovation this time—radio broadcasts of the pilots’ own voices, recorded just before they flew their final missions. These “last testaments,” delivered calmly into a microphone, were aired across Korea, creating the eerie effect of fallen heroes speaking from beyond the grave—not unlike the farewell videos of modern suicide bombers.

The film Love and Vows (愛と誓ひ), released in May 1945, fictionalized such a broadcast on vinyl, but Kiyohara’s and Ōkawa’s messages were very real, and played in Korean households and public spaces. His and Ōkawa’s broadcasts were accompanied by emotional newspaper reports on weeping families and patriotic villagers gathered around radios.

A Korean academic has written a (paywalled) paper on the Imperial propagandization of these Korean kamikaze pilots. Additionally, I used a detailed online roster of Kamikaze pilots, compiled by Japanese blogger, to verify their ages, death dates, and Korean names. 

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijō Nippo), June 13, 1945

The Voice of Corporal Kiyohara

I am convinced of the Imperial Nation’s certain victory, and although unworthy, I have received the Imperial command to attack as a member of the Heavenly Sword Unit. I am overwhelmed with tears of gratitude for this profound Imperial favor.

I am a man born on the Korean Peninsula. Though I am an inadequate person, I wish to express, as a token of my loyalty to the nation, the joy of having been born under the rule of the Empire and the benefit I have received from my training as an Imperial soldier—especially to the young people of the Peninsula who remain behind on the home front. I am still immature and unpolished, but if my words can serve in any way as a reference, I would be most happy.

The pure three-thousand-year stream of the Imperial Nation’s history also flows with the lifeblood of us on the Korean Peninsula. I firmly believe that this history is also our own. Ever since the distant Age of the Gods, the bond between Korea and Japan has never been merely that of so-called "next-door neighbors." Even then, our Peninsula was a child of His Majesty, a powerful and integral corner of the Imperial Nation.

Now, our homeland is at war with the United States and Britain. Conscription, long anticipated, has now been extended to us. Moreover, the path to participation in the Imperial Diet has also been opened. Many of our elders and seniors are already fighting. There is no greater honor than this. Now is the time for young men, burning with the purest patriotism, to step forward without hesitation, enter the military ranks, stand shoulder to shoulder with friends in the Japanese mainland, and fight the enemy.

Let us offer our blood and build a new, refreshing Greater East Asia. Let us not remain confined in a small shell, but rather take joy in serving our great parent (the Emperor), and pass on this legacy for a thousand generations. Even now, the solemn and majestic figure of the Chōsen Shrine comes vividly to mind, as do the people who continue to pay their respects there.

As I depart, I hold firm faith in those who will follow after me.
Young Korean people! Live righteously. Live strongly.
And protect the three-thousand-year history of the Imperial Nation.

This is my unwavering prayer.

Let Us Follow This Heroic Cry
Voices of Certain Victory from the Two Divine Falcons, Kiyohara and Ōkawa, Ring Across the Entire Peninsula

“I am convinced of the Imperial Nation’s certain victory, and although unworthy, I have received the Imperial command to attack as a member of the Heavenly Sword Unit. I am overwhelmed with tears of gratitude for this profound Imperial favor.”

Youthful voices, filled with fierce resolve, echoed through towns shrouded in the approaching dusk. At 8:05 p.m. on June 12th, the Seoul Central Broadcasting Station began airing recordings of the final words of two Korean-born Divine Falcons—Corporal Kiyohara Teijitsu (Han Jeong-sil 한정실, 韓鼎實) and Corporal Ōkawa Masaaki (Park Dong-hun 박동훈, 朴東薫).

In that moment, the Peninsula was enveloped in deep emotion. People across the land listened in solemn silence, determined not to miss a single word from the final voices of the Divine Falcons.

Ah, Corporals Kiyohara and Ōkawa—they left these words as a testament to the Peninsula, then boldly hurled themselves against enemy warships, offering their lives for the homeland in crisis.

Now, even the Peninsula is becoming a fierce battlefield. The enemy—those American devils—may invade the Peninsula at any time. Hearing the final cries of these Divine Falcons, who perished this spring as the vanguard of Korean loyalty, brought especially deep emotion to the Korean people.
The loyal spirits of these two Divine Falcons were seared deeply into the hearts of 26 million people, powerfully awakening a renewed fighting spirit.

“I hold firm faith in those who will follow after me”.

Now, the Peninsula is burning with the resolve to answer this trust placed in them by the Divine Falcons, in the depths of profound emotion.

The Voice of Corporal Ōkawa

"As one of His Majesty’s people, I live with purpose. To have encountered such a time when Heaven and Earth flourish—what joy I feel."

Alone with my beloved aircraft, as I quietly surround myself with this song (Mitamiware), my heart is filled with an indescribable emotion.

Even now, I can already see before me the demonic American and British warships and B-29s. I cannot remain still. I am convinced that the spirits of those who came before us—our seniors, our fathers, and our elder sisters—are with us here, helping us.

Having come to this point, I shall demonstrate the skills forged by our instructors and assistant instructors through their blood and sweat, and I shall prove the strength of this spirit they instilled in us.

Even if our great battle achievements are never printed in the newspapers, I shall strike a blow—one aircraft, one warship. I will smash myself into that hateful enemy vessel and shatter my body into pieces.

To protect our history—let every person from the Peninsula become a special attack warrior and preserve this history for eternity. Know that this is the path we must take.

Let us all, swearing by the five articles of the Special Attack Code, raise the flag of the Rising Sun high and proud.

Father, Mother—please remain well. I deeply apologize for being such an unfilial son who has caused you many worries. But I believe that in light of this noble cause, you will forgive me. I go forward in high spirits.

To my younger brother and sister: Forgive your older brother for never having been able to care for you or do anything for you. Be strong. Live with pride and courage.

Lastly, for the first and only time in my life, I have composed a verse straight from my heart:

"Summoned to Yasukuni, this body—what regret can I have?"

Tear-Streaked Faces Lean Toward the Radio
Villagers Gather for the Broadcasts of the Two Corporals
A Stern Father Nods, a Sobbing Mother Weeps

As the soft crimson sun sank behind the western ridgeline, the lights suddenly flicked on. Gathered beside the altar were eleven members of the household, including the stern father Yeong-bin (영빈, 永彬), age 53, the mother Yeong-sook (영숙, 永淑), age 50, the second eldest brother Jeong-sun (정순, 鼎淳), and even the eldest brother’s grandchildren. They sat formally before the radio, holding their breath, awaiting the voice of their departed loved one.

Original caption: The Kiyohara family gathering together to listen to their son's broadcast.

That day, the home of the fallen Corporal Kiyohara Teijitsu (Jeong-sil) filled with villagers who had come to honor his noble sacrifice. They overflowed from inside the house into the yard, yearning for the sacred moment.

The second brother, Jeong-pil (정필, 鼎弼), age 27, had tested the radio repeatedly throughout the day, wearing a worried expression, fearing that static might interfere.

From across the quiet compound, the croaking of frogs echoed gently through the evening haze, accentuating the solemn stillness of the home.

At 8:05 PM, the solemn voice of the broadcaster announced the beginning of the program. The family members bowed in unison, placing both hands on the floor and lowering their heads.

“I am convinced of the Imperial Nation’s certain victory, and although unworthy, I have received the Imperial command to attack as a member of the Heavenly Sword Unit. I am overwhelmed with tears of gratitude for this profound Imperial favor.”

It was a strong, succinct voice, emblematic of the fierce fighting spirit of the late corporal.

"I am a man born on the Korean Peninsula. Though I am an inadequate person, I wish to express, as a token of my loyalty to the nation, the joy of having been born under the rule of the Empire and the benefit I have received from my training as an Imperial soldier—especially to the young people of the Peninsula who remain behind on the home front."

Villagers listening intently to the radio also bowed their heads deeply in silence. As the departed son spoke of the historical significance of Japanese-Korean unification and expressed joy in living as a subject of the Empire, his stern father, Yeong-bin, nodded repeatedly and closed his eyes in deep reflection. His mother, Yeong-sook, was already overcome with tears. She clenched her teeth to endure, but sobs escaped through her trembling lips. She was gripped by the memory of their final parting—when her son, Corporal Jeong-sil, had gently lifted her hand to his forehead in farewell and softly said, “Mother, you are still working so hard,” as he quietly stroked her worn, calloused hand. A single tear rolled down the father’s cheek and dropped silently into the hands folded on his lap. No one reached to wipe away their tears.

"As I depart, I hold firm faith in those who will follow after me. Young Korean people! Live righteously. Live strongly. And protect the three-thousand-year history of the Imperial Nation. This is my unwavering prayer."

The broadcast ended abruptly.

No one raised their head.

Following this, a poem was solemnly recited—a farewell verse left behind, beginning with "a young cherry tree was raised in the fields of the Peninsula..." The broadcast of Corporal Ōkawa’s message then began.

As the family listened, in tears, to the voice of the son and brother who had become one with the gods, the father, Yeong-bin, gently calmed them. He straightened his posture with dignity and listened attentively to Corporal Ōkawa’s broadcast.

Though brief, the broadcast was listened to by all with a longing and joy that surged from the depths of their hearts.

“He did it, he did it!” “He did such a great thing!”

As the program ended, voices of awe and admiration broke out from the crowd that had gathered.

Among them, a young man, trembling with emotion, cried out,

“Kiyohara-kun, you really did it. I will—I will do it too! I will follow after you!”

Tears streamed down his face, yet he made no attempt to wipe them away. He pledged before the spirit of the deceased.

Truly, that vow embodied the unshakable determination of the young men of the Peninsula’s home front, swearing to follow in the path of the shattered-yet-glorious Divine Falcons, Kiyohara and Ōkawa.

And in the softly swaying shadows of the incense smoke, the smiling portrait of the late Corporal Kiyohara Jeong-sil seemed to radiate with a quiet, resolute smile.

Photos: (top) Corporal Kiyohara making an appeal to all Koreans for certain victory; (bottom) The Kiyohara family gathering together to listen to their son's broadcast.

Gyeongseong Ilbo (Keijō Nippo), June 11, 1945

“From School to Battlefield”
A ‘Child of the Great Sky’ Who Bloomed in Death
The Home of the Brave, Corporal Kiyohara, Heavy with the Fragrance of Honor

Surrounded on three sides by lush green mountains, the home of the brave Divine Falcon Corporal Kiyohara Jeong-sil, heavy with the fragrance of valor, stands in 274 Jōdō-chō, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul.

His stern father, Mr. Kiyohara Yeong-bin, had long served in government positions, and the family relocated many times across the country. Corporal Kiyohara, the third son, was born in Gyeongseong, North Hamgyong Province. After transferring between the Orang and Jubuk (주북, 朱北) Public Schools, he graduated from Bakcheon Public School, and then entered the Mining Department of Seoul Technical High School.

Corporal Kiyohara (top right), his father Yeong-bin (bottom left)

While in his third year, he was filled with a burning sense of loyalty and enrolled in the Imperial Army Youth Aviation School. There, he displayed a natural talent and, in [year and month redacted], received the Army Air Corps General's Prize, the highest honor for a student pilot.

Afterward, he trained at [base name redacted], and with great enthusiasm, deployed to the front. He joined the Heavenly Sword Unit and dove into the enemy formation, falling gloriously in battle, giving his life to the eternal cause.

Surviving family members include his stern father, Yeong-bin, his kind mother, Yeong-sook, his eldest brother Jeong-sun (age 32), who is a teacher at Ilsan Public School in Jangdan County, and his second eldest brother Jeong-pil (age 27), who works at the Seoul City Office. He also had two younger brothers and three sisters.

His father, Mr. Yeong-bin, now speaks of his late son while holding the pocket watch awarded for the Aviation General's Prize and a single cigarette bestowed upon the Heavenly Sword Unit members when it was formed.

“He simply fulfilled his natural duty as a loyal subject of His Majesty the Emperor. That child was always saying, ‘I am a child of the great sky, a child of the great sky.’ Even though he knew the time and place of his death, he smiled brightly like a child and said that, when he returned, he wanted to make our house look nicer. When he graduated from the Youth Aviation School, his older brothers encouraged him to advance to the Air Officer Preparatory School or Aviation Officer School, but he firmly refused. He said that on the front lines, people were waiting—waiting for someone like him to arrive even a second sooner. Hearing him say that, we felt ashamed of ourselves.”

“Before departing from [base name redacted] after being assigned to the Heavenly Sword Unit, he stopped briefly at home. He asked me to write something on the Rising Sun flag. I wrote, ‘Special Attack Unit.’ He smiled and left. Now, I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude—he truly did well.”

[Transcription]

京城日報 1945年6月13日

清原伍長の声

皇国の必勝を確信し不肖このたび天剣隊の一員として出陣の大命を拝し皇恩の深きに感泣する次第であります。

私は半島に生れた者であります。拙き身ながら皇国に生を享けた喜びと帝国軍人としての修養の一端を銃後の特に若い半島の青少年の方々に報国のつもりで申し上げます。未だ〇〇の未熟の者でありますが何かと参考になれば多幸と存じます。

皇国の清い三千年の流れには私達半島の血潮も咲いております。又一面この歴史は私達の歴史であると信じます。遠い神代からの御交りは俗にいう隣組ではなかったのであります。既にその時から私達の半島は陛下の赤子であり、皇国の力強き一角でありました。

今や私達の祖国は米英と戦っているのであります。私達にも待望の徴兵制が布かれ、また帝国議会参与の途も拓かれたではありませんか。多くの先輩達は戦っています。こんな光栄なことはありません。今こそ若き愛国の至誠に燃ゆる青少年諸君は何のよどみもなく軍門に入り内地の友と伍し敵と戦うべきです。

血潮を捧げ涼しい新たな大東亜を築くべきです。小さな殻に据われず大親に仕える喜びを味わい千載まで貽しましょう。斯くいういまでも森厳な朝鮮神宮の麗姿が、また引き続き参拝せられる人々が目に浮かんで来ます。征くにあたり後へつづく者を堅く信じます。半島の青少年よ、正しく強く生き皇国三千年の歴史を守らんことを祈って已みません。

この雄叫びに我ら続かん
清原・大河両神鷲・全半島に必勝の声

『皇国の必勝を確信し不肖このたび天剣隊の一員として出陣の大命を拝し、皇恩の深きに感泣する次第であります』

烈しい決意を秘めた若々しい声が夕闇迫る町々に響きわたった。十二日午後八時五分、半島が生んだ二神鷲清原鼎実、大河正明伍長の最後の言葉を伝える録音放送が京城中央放送局から開始されたのである。一瞬半島は深い感激に包まれ、神鷲最後の声を一言も聞き洩らすまいと静かに耳を澄ませるのだった。

ああ清原、大河両伍長はこの言葉を半島に遺して敢然敵艦艇に体当たり、危急の祖国に殉じたのだ。

今や半島も苛烈な戦場と化しつつある。敵米鬼はいつ半島に来冠せぬとも限らない。この秋半島尽忠の魁けと散った神鷲の最後の叫びを聞く半島の感激は一しお深く、両神鷲の忠魂は二千六百万の胸底にしっかと灼きつけられ新たな闘魂を逞しくよび起したのであった。

『後に続く者を堅く信じます』

半島はいま深い感動のうちにこの神鷲の信頼に応える決意に燃えきっているのだ。

大河伍長の声

御民われ生ける験しあり、天地の栄ゆる時に遇えらく思えば」独り愛機と共に静かにこの歌に包まれるとき、なんともいえない気持ちで胸一杯であります。もういまでも鬼畜米英の軍艦或はB29が目前にみえて来てじっとしておられません。必ずやここには先輩或は父姉等の精神が籠っていて我々を助けてくれると思います。こうなればきっときっと長い間教官、助教殿より血と汗をもってつくられた腕やこの精神でやってみせます。

大きな戦果が新聞に載らずとも一機一艦あの憎い艦にぶつかって身を粉々にしてみせます。歴史を護る半島人一人一人が特攻隊となってこの歴史を永遠に保ってくれ。それが我々の進べき道と思ってくれ。そうして五ヶ条の精神に誓って日の丸の旗を高く翻えそうではないか。

お父さん、お母さん。元気でいて下さい。いろいろ御心配かけた不孝者洵にすみません。しかしこの際の大義にはこのことをお許し下さることと思って元気で征きます。

弟よ、妹よ。兄は可愛がることも何も出来なかったことを許して、力強くそうして立派にやってくれ。最後に生れて初めての一句を心づくままに作ってみました。

靖国に召されるからだ如何せん。

耳傾ける涙の顔
両伍長の放送に集う村人たち
頷く厳父に嗚咽の母

薄紅の陽が西の山嶺に沈むとパッと電灯がともった。厳父永彬さん（五三）母掌永淑さん（五〇）を初め次兄の鼎淳さん以下長兄のお孫さんまで入れて一家十一人が祭壇の横に据えたラジオの前に端座し、固唾をのんで声の対面を待った。

この日神鷲清原鼎実伍長の録音放送を待つ生家には故伍長の遺烈を慕う村の人達が室内から庭前にまで溢れて聖なるひとときを待ちわびていた。

次兄の鼎弼さん（二七）は昼間から何度もラジオの試聴をして雑音が入らねばよいがと案じ顔だった。

烟の面を伝って蛙の声が尊い家の静寂を引き立たせている。

八時五分放送員の厳粛な声が放送開始を告げると家族は等しく両手をついて頭を垂れた。

『皇国の必勝を確信し不肖このたび天剣隊の一員として出陣の大命を拝し皇恩の深きに感泣する次第であります』

熾烈なる故伍長の闘魂を象徴するような力強く簡潔な語調である。

『私は半島に生れた者であります。拙き身ながら皇国に生を享けた喜びと帝国軍人としての修養の一端を銃後の特に若い半島の青少年の方々に報国のつもりで申し上げます』

じっとラジオに耳傾ける村の人達も深々と頭を垂れて聴き入った。内鮮一体の歴史的意義を解明し皇国の民としての喜びを語る我児の言葉に厳父の永彬さんはうんうんとうなる様に相槌を打ちながらじっと眼を閉じて聴き入った。女親の永淑さんはもうすっかり涙である。じっとこらえて喰いしばる歯の間から嗚咽が洩れる。最後の帰郷の時、母親の手をそっと押し頂いた鼎実伍長が『お母さんまだ苦労していますね』と脂気の失せた手を静かにさすってくれた在りし日の思出がぐんと胸を衝きあげてくるのだった。父親の頬を一筋すっとながれたものがボトリと膝に重ねた手の中に落ちた。誰一人涙を拭う者すらない。

『征くに当り後へ続く者を堅く堅く信じます。半島の青少年よ、正しく強く生き皇国三千年の歴史を守らんことを祈って止みません』ぶつりと終った。誰一人頭を上げようとはしない。続いて半島の野辺に育ちし若櫻．．．外一首の遺詠が荘重に朗誦され、大河伍長の録音放送に入った。

神と去りましし我児我兄の声に唯涙して聴き入る家族の者を父親の永彬さんは静かにたしなめると威儀を正して大河伍長の放送を傾聴した。

ほんの僅かな放送時間ではあったが、肚の底からこみあげてくる懐しさ、嬉しさで聴き入った人達である。

『やったやった』『よくやってくれたなあ』放送が終ると同時に集い寄った人群のなかから感嘆の声が巻き起った。なかに年若い青年は感激に身をふるわせ、『清原君やってくれたか。俺も俺もきっとやるぞ。あとから続くぞ』とあふれる涙を拭いもやらず霊前に誓う者もいた。まことこの誓いこそ玉と砕けし清原、大河両神鷲に誓う若き半島銃後の固い決意でもあるのだ。心なしかゆらぐ香煙の影に凛たる故清原鼎実伍長の遺影もまた莞爾とほほえんだことであろう。

写真＝（上）全半島に必勝を呼びかける清原伍長、図内は大河伍長（下）我子の放送に一家揃って聴き入る清原家

京城日報 1945年6月11日

『進学より戦場へ』
散って咲いた『大空の子』
武勲一入薫る清原伍長の生家

三面を翠緑の山に囲まれて武勲一入薫る神鷲清原鼎実伍長の生家は京城府永登浦区上道町二七四だ。厳父永彬氏は多年官界に勤め、各地に転勤したが、同伍長は咸北鏡城にて三男として生れ、漁郎、朱北両国民学校に転学の後、博川国民学校を卒業。京城工業学校鉱山科に進学。三年在学中殉忠の意気に燃え、〇〇少年航空学校に入学。在学中は生まれながらの才能を発揮し〇年〇月少年飛行士の最高の栄誉たる陸軍航空総監賞を受け、その後〇〇基地にて訓練を積んでいたが、勇躍前線に出勤、天剣隊の一員に加り敵陣に突入散華し悠久の大義に生き抜いたのである。

遺家族は厳父永彬氏、慈母永淑さん、長兄徳淳（三二）＝長湍郡一山国民学校訓導＝次兄鼎弼（二七）＝京城府庁勤務＝がおり、その外二人の弟と三名の姉妹がいる。厳父永彬氏は航空監賞の懐中時計と天剣隊編成時に賜わった恩賜の煙草一本を前にして在りし日のわが子を思いながら語る。

天皇陛下の赤子として当然の本分を尽くしただけで、あの子は何時も『大空の子、大空の子』といっていましたが、死に場所も時も知っていながら帰って来たらもっと家を綺麗にすると子供のように朗らかに笑っていました。また少年航空学校を卒業した時に兄達が航空予科士官、航空士官へと進学を進めたが、あの子はきっぱり断り第一線では自分等を一瞬でも早く来るのを待っているといった時は却って私達が恥ずかしくなったのです。

天剣隊に編入され〇〇基地に出発する前に家に一寸よったが日の丸の旗に何か書いてくれといわれといわれたので『特攻隊』と書いてやったらにっこりと笑って征きました。ただただ今はよくやってくれたということで胸一杯です。

Sources:

• National Library of Korea - Digital Newspaper Archive
• Kamikaze Pilot Deceased List (特別攻撃隊 戦没者名簿)
• 이형식. (2012). 太平洋戦争時期における帝国日本の軍神作り — 『毎日新聞』の朝鮮人特攻隊報道を中心に (韓鼎実 / 清原鼎実). 日本學硏究, 37, 193–217. Retrieved from [earticle.net Article A184665]

Minor note: There is one place in the published articles where Jeong-sun (鼎淳) is mentioned as the second eldest brother (次兄), but this is probably a typographical error. Jeong-pil (鼎弼) is mentioned as the second eldest brother twice elsewhere in the articles.