Unconfirmed: Two Living, Ex-Japanese Soldiers Found in Philippines (Mindanao)

Mainichi News in Tokyo (in Japanese) (linked) ^ | 26 May 2005 | Mainichi Shimbun in Japan (in Japanese)

[cyborg]

LOL wow...this is the stuff of weekly world news.

[Smokin' Joe]

That could be a lot of back pay.....

[11th_VA]

Japanese Holdouts Registry

http://www.wanpela.com/holdouts/registry.html

March 5, 1974 - Lubang Island - 2nd Lt. Hiroo Onoda Probably the most 'famous' of the Japanese holdouts, Onoda was the only survivor of a group of four. He surrendered 29 years after Japan's formal surrender, and 15 years after being declared legally dead in Japan. When he accepted that the war was over, he wept openly.

April 1980 - Captain Fumio Nakahira on Mindoro Captain Fumio Nakahira of the Japanese Imperial Army, held out before being discovered at Mt. Halcon in Mindoro.

[Aquinasfan]

They might be disconcerted to learn that the war ended 60 years ago.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I wonder if those two teikoku rikugun soldiers are still angry, and still looking for the other two beihei's who smacked them good and ripped off their cool flag?!

[Graymatter]

Over the years, we would hear of another Japanese holdout emerging from the jungles---wasn't all that strange, if some soldier couldn't face defeat and "went native" rather than face the music. But now? Not one but two men survived out there, into their 80's? Doubtful. They probably have enjoyed some "shore leave," some regular contact with human society, all along. Because it just isn't too healthy, a jungle in Mindanao.

[FearlessFreep]

Doubt you would find any French still hold up.

[ccmay]

Think of it! These guys know nothing of the atomic bomb, television, jet airplanes, the moon landing, computers, lasers, organ transplants, the Internet, and a thousand other things we take for granted.

Rip van Winkle had nothing on these fellows. Imagine how dazzled they will be when they see modern Japan.

-ccm

[ohioWfan]

Wow. I thought this was amazing when it happened 30 years ago.........but now?? Wow!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Or, they may just want to stay and die down there.

They won't know many people if they return to Nippon.

[DTogo]

Definitely worth a PING!!

Japan * ping * (kono risuto ni hairitai ka detai wo shirasete kudasai : let me know if you want on or off this list)

[Spktyr]

None past six seconds, at any rate. :)

[cjshapi]

I dunno, but if they are angry I wouldn't want to be in their path. They might be frail, but thats a long time to fester an anger!

[AlBondigas]

rong places praces

[VadeRetro]

I'm betting these particular guys knew the war was over and were not out of touch with civilization. That would make the story a bit less remarkable.

[Smokin' Joe]

I think these gentlemen, if genuine, could write a few chapters on E&E and survival

[b4its2late]

I hope they live long enough to write a book....translated into English of course.

[G.Mason]

Why do I doubt the veracity of this story?

[Spktyr]

Nevertheless, they will be returned to Japan for the surrender. I believe that if they want to stay down in the Phillipines that they will be returned there after the ceremony.

[BostonianRightist]

...unlike the French who surrender in 60 seconds!

No, no, no. The French surrendered long before that. It took them 60 seconds to set up their Nazi sympathizing government.