The Japanese Marshal Admiral Who Planned The Pearl Harbor Attack Knew Japan Couldn't Win A Drawn Out War With The United States

Isoroku Yamamoto maintained strong connections with the United States. During his time as a student and naval attaché in Washington, DC , this officer of the Imperial Japanese Navy enthusiastically embraced American culture. Despite his admiration for the US military and his personal interactions, Yamamoto meticulously planned the strategy for the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

Isoroku Yamamoto's upbringing and early career

The future admiral was born Isoroku Takano in 1884. His father, a mid-ranking samurai, was 56 years old at the time. In 1916, Takano was formally adopted by the Yamamoto family, a clan of higher samurai standing, following a customary practice used throughout Japan when a family lacked suitable male heirs. As a result, he took on the Yamamoto surname.

In 1904, Yamamoto graduated from the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and participated in the Russo-Japanese War . He was injured during the Battle of Tsushima , losing the index and middle fingers on his left hand. His performance earned recognition from his superiors, allowing him to rise swiftly through the ranks.

By 1916, he had become a lieutenant commander, and, three years later, he was promoted to commander.

Experience in the US, rivalry with the Japanese Army

Yamamoto spent a fair amount of time in the US during the 1920s and '30s. He was a student at Harvard University from 1919-21. He also had two postings as a naval attaché in America, where he learned to speak fluent English. Yamamoto created controversy in 1937 when he apologized to the US for Japan's 1937 bombing of the gunboat USS Panay .

The Imperial Japanese Army was significantly more aggressive and pro-war than its Navy , and was angered by Yamamoto's opposition to a pact with Germany and Italy. Following his apology to the US, he received death threats, to which he said :

"To die for Emperor and Nation is the highest hope of a military man. After a brave hard fight the blossoms are scattered on the fighting field. But if a person wants to take a life instead, still the fighting man will go to eternity for Emperor and country. One man's life or death is a matter of no importance. All that matters is the Empire."

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Yamamoto steadily advanced through the ranks of the Japanese military, attaining the rank of Admiral in November 1940. Despite facing opposition from some Army members, he garnered respect from his sailors and had the backing of the Imperial family.

His reluctance to engage in conflict with the US stemmed from his belief that Japan lacked the resources for a prolonged war, shaping his strategy for the Pearl Harbor attack.

Yamamoto envisioned defeating the United States by incapacitating its Navy in a swift, decisive battle. The Pearl Harbor assault resulted in a Japanese victory, with multiple waves of bombers causing serious damage, sinking four American battleships, and destroying 188 aircraft. However, despite its operational success, the bombing sparked widespread outrage among the American populace, leading to the nation's entry into a war it had sought to avoid initially.

Battle of Midway and Yamamoto's death

While the Japanese continued to have success in the months following Pearl Harbor, Yamamoto argued the Navy needed to keep attacking the US Fleet. During the Battle of Midway in June 1942, Japan wanted to remain on the offensive. Prior to the operation, however, the US forces were able to break the Japanese Naval Code . As a result, Admiral Chester Nimitz was able to prepare for the attack, leading to a US victory and a turn in the war.

Following defeats at Guadalcanal and Midway, Yamamoto went on a tour to build morale among his forces. US intelligence was able to decrypt information about his schedule, and on April 18, 1943, the plane carrying the Japanese Admiral was shot down by American pilots. Yamamoto posthumously received the title of Marshal Admiral and was awarded the Order of the Chrysanthemum from Japan. He was also awarded Germany's Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

Yamamoto's legacy

Yamamoto has been featured in a number of films about Pearl Harbor and World War II . Moviegoers may remember him for the Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) line that he may or may not have uttered: "I fear that all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." The line was also referenced in 2001's Pearl Harbor .

Historians, however, are not sure he ever actually made this observation.

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Yamamoto was also portrayed by legendary actor, Toshiro Mifune, in three separate films: Rengo Kantai Ichokan Yamamoto Isoroku (1968), Gekido no showashi 'Gunbatsu' (1970) and Midway (1976).