Isoroku Yamamoto had many connections to the United States. While serving as a student and naval attaché in Washington, DC, the Imperial Japanese Navy officer actively immersed himself in American culture. Despite his respect for the US military and his personal experiences, Yamamoto orchestrated the meticulous strategy for the notorious assault on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
Isoroku Yamamoto’s upbringing and early career
The future admiral entered the world as Isoroku Takano in 1884. His father, a samurai of intermediate rank, was 56 years old at the time. In 1916, Takano was formally adopted into the Yamamoto family, a clan of higher samurai standing. This adoption was a customary procedure in Japan, employed when a family lacked appropriate male successors to continue their lineage. Consequently, he assumed the surname of his new family.
In 1904, Yamamoto completed his studies at the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy and actively served in the Russo-Japanese War. He was wounded during the Battle of Tsushima, resulting in the loss of the index and middle fingers on his left hand. His exceptional performance caught the attention of his seniors, enabling him to ascend swiftly in rank. By 1916, he attained the position of lieutenant commander, and within three years, he further advanced to the rank of 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 climbed the ranks within the Japanese military, achieving the position of Admiral in November 1940. Despite encountering friction with certain Army members, he earned the respect of his sailors and enjoyed the support of the Imperial family.
His opposition to engaging in conflict with the US stemmed from his belief that Japan lacked the resources to sustain a prolonged war. This perspective led him to devise the strategy for the Pearl Harbor attack.
Yamamoto envisioned victory over the United States by taking out its Navy and engaging in a swift, decisive battle. The assault on Pearl Harbor resulted in a victory for Japan, with successive waves of Japanese bombers inflicting heavy damage, sinking four American battleships, and demolishing 188 aircraft. Nevertheless, despite the operational success, the bombing stirred widespread outrage among the American people, prompting the nation’s entry into a war it had initially hoped to avoid.
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).
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