Soldiers Were Conditioned to Die for the Emperor without Hesitation
Let’s dispel one myth about Japanese Emperors really quick: the Japanese did not see Emperor Hirohito as a living god. This misconception is born from a very similar idea under the Shinto religion. Shinto cannot be separated from Japan, but in the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, Shinto became an established state religion.
Many argue that this linked to the cause of Japanese nationalism. This argument sprouts from the Shinto legend that emperors of Japan are descended in an unbroken line from the first Emperor, Jimmu Tenno; and the Japanese people themselves are descended from the kami, who was present at the founding of Japan.
Shinto revolves around keeping a good relationship between the Emperor and his people and that the Emperor rules the country because the gods want him to. Before the creation of State Shinto, this story was just a myth among many others; it did not shape Japanese self-image until the issue of nationalism came along. Now that we all understand the true background of the importance of the Emperor to the Japanese people during this time, we can look at the issue of being taught to die for the Emperor without question.
The unyielding loyalty of the Special Attack Units (aka kamikaze), was clear when they were expected to not only accept their fateful duty but embrace their patriotic demise wholeheartedly. Many countries expect soldiers to fight for their country, but WWII Japan stands out as one that expected its soldiers to die in service.