Were the WW2 Japanese Soldiers Forced to Serve or Were They Volunteers?

During the Second World War, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were predominantly composed of conscripted individuals rather than voluntary enlistments. While some young Japanese men did choose to join, the majority were compelled to serve, often to the detriment of their personal lives and families.

Understanding the Recruitment Mechanism

Japanese military forces were not solely made up of samurai or shogun warriors. Many of the kamikaze pilots, who became legendary for their willing sacrifice to protect Japan, were volunteers. However, it is important to note that these volunteers were typically motivated by a deep sense of duty and patriotism rather than any form of voluntary service. Their primary function was to inflict maximum damage on enemy targets, particularly the American Navy, during the war's most critical phases.

Japan utilized a two-tiered system of recruitment:

Conscription

Each male Japanese citizen was legally obligated to join either the Imperial Japanese Army or the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Japanese government used a red paper, costing only 1.5 cents, to officially conscript individuals. However, the actual process was more complex. Upon receiving the red paper, families were often expected to engage in celebratory rituals, despite the reality that their sons would be likely to die in battle. Many felt a profound sense of injustice, as the cost of their loved ones' lives was considered minuscule.

Forced Recruitment and Despair

The cultural expectations and familial pressures to serve were significant. Villages even set up loyalty organizations to pressure more men into joining the military. As the war progressed and Japan found itself in a more dire position, the draft became more aggressive. The kenpeitai, a brutal military police force, was tasked with rounding up potential draftees and managing the harsh conditions in labor camps. Their actions were nothing short of despicable, even in their own country, leading to countless human rights abuses.

Personal Accounts

One such account comes from someone whose father was conscripted. He was part of a division known as Konoe under the direct command of the Emperor. Although he never saw the Emperor himself, the experience of being drafted was one of despair. ‘My life costs only 1.5 cents,’ he often lamented, a bitter reminder of the dehumanizing effect of conscription.

Conclusion

While some young Japanese men did choose to enlist voluntarily, the majority were conscripted, especially as the war turned against Japan. This reality underscores not only the complexity of military conscription but also the depth of emotional and psychological strain it placed on individuals and their families.