LEGACY: National Pride, National Hero
Meanwhile, Japan celebrated its initial victories at Pearl Harbor, Singapore, and the Philippines. Yamamoto was a national hero. Yet, he doubted Japan’s capabilities in being able to win the war against America.
"I, therefore, feel the same way how my father was feeling against Admiral. Yes, he was a man of brave and a man of intelligence. I'm sure he was a hero then and thereafter, too . . ." (Shin).
- Naomi Shin, daughter of Zenji Abe
"The thing that worries me slightly is that, although the war’s only been going for something over three months, a lot of people are relieved, or saying they’re ‘grateful to Admiral Yamamoto’ because there hasn't been a single air raid. They’re very wrong: the fact that the enemy hasn't come is no thanks to Admiral Yamamoto, but the enemy himself. So if they want to express gratitude to somebody, I wish they’d express it to America. If the latter really made up its mind to wade in on us, there’d be no way of defending a city like Tokyo. If that happens, I shall hardly be indifferent, But I only hope they won’t start trying to put the blame on the navy, complaining that the navy’s doing nothing. Anyway, my advice is that it would be safer, if only it were possible, to keep half one’s property and half oneself somewhere outside the city."
"The ‘first stage of operations’ has been a kind of children’s hour, and will soon be over; now comes the adults’ hour, so perhaps I’d better stop dozing and bestir myself . . .” (Agawa 156).
- Yamamoto letter's to Niwa Michi
at her geisha house in Tokyo