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Slice of History: Business Lessons from the INCREDIBLE Saga of Hiroo Onoda, "The Soldier Who Refused to Surrender."
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This is not the first time I have written a piece on the incredible story of Hiroo Onoda. I have featured him in several short stories I have had published, and he is prominently mentioned in a novel which I will finish one of these years…or decades!
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It is only recently that it has crossed my mind to write about this AMAZING figure from history in a business context. The lessons seem so rife, numerous and applicable to the world of business. As such, I present to you, the following original article.
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Disclaimer/Personal Thoughts: The involvement of Imperial Japanese Forces in WWII was an era punctuated by aggression, invasion, enslavement, forced-labor, systematic rape, concentration-camps, fanaticism, summary-executions, torture, unspeakable cruelty and the loss of millions of lives. The episode written about in this article is not meant to ignore, overlook or make light of these facts, rather, it has been written to focus solely on the story of one man, one soldier: Hiroo Onoda. The soldier who fought WWII for almost 30 years!
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"The Soldier Who Refused to Surrender":
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In December, 1944, twenty-three year-old Hiroo Onoda was dispatched to the Philippine island of Lubang to command the Lubang Garrison of Japan’s Suri Brigade. The last orders given to him by his commanders on their departure were: "It may take three years, it may take five, but whatever happens, we’ll come back for you. Until then, so long as you have one soldier, you are to continue to lead him."
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Lubang Island, Philippines
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Allied Forces under the command of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur stormed the island of Lubang in February, 1945, swiftly overrunning Japanese defensive positions. Onada and three other survivors retreated, taking refuge in the dense jungle.
On August 15th, 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, unbeknown to Hiroo Onoda, Imperial Japan offered unconditional surrender. After seven long years, and with a death toll exceeding 50 million lives, WWII was finally over!
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WWII Rages On for Hiroo Onoda:
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Onada and the three men under his command, Corporal Shoichi Shimada, Private Kinshichi Kozuka, and Private Yuichi Akatsu, continued to believe that the war was still raging. They lived off the land eating what they could find and on occasion, sneaking down the mountain to kill a villager’s cow. On one foray, they found a note telling them that the war was over. Onoda dismissed the note as enemy propaganda.
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Hiroo Onoda’s 30-Year War:
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Throughout the next several years, Onoda and his small band of men engaged in their war, carrying out raids and acts of sabotage on "Allied Forces." Unfortunately, the Allied Forces were, in fact, Philippine villagers. And throughout the years, more notes were left, leaflets were dropped by plane and newspapers were left in the jungle proving that WWII had ended. Each time, Onoda dismissed the messages as wiley attempts by the Allies to trick the men.
In 1949, thinking something amiss, Private Yuichi Akatsu snuck away and eventually surrendered. He sent a note back to Onoda announcing that he had been pardoned and was living as a free man. The note was ignored.
In 1954, Corporal Shimada was shot and killed by a Filipino patrol which Onoda mistook for an Allied patrol. To Onoda, the incident was confirmation that WWII raged on and proof of the enemy’s continued deception.
That left only Onoda and Kinshichi Kozuka who fought on, continuing with raids and sabotage. Onoda waited for Japanese forces to return, believing that his persistence and tenacity would be viewed as heroic and highly rewarded.
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The Saga’s End:
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In 1972, the two men were engaged by an armed Filipino patrol; Kozuka was killed in the exchange of gunfire which ensued. News of the killing quickly reached the shocked Japanese public where it was concluded from evidence that Onoda was still alive.
In 1974, acting alone, Norio Suzuki, a Japanese college student, ventured into the Philippine jungle and succeeded in finding Onoda. His attempts to convince Onoda that the war had been over for decades fell on deaf ears. Suzuki departed, telling Onoda that he would return with proof.
Two weeks later the two met at a pre-arranged meeting place. Accompanying Suzuki was Major Taniguchi, Onoda’s one-time commander. Taniguchi read out to the bewildered Onoda the Japanese declaration of surrender from 1945. At this, Onoda emptied his rifle, placed his remaining hand-grenades on the ground and wept uncontrollably.
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Onoda (right) posing with Suzuki following surrender; 1974
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After 29 years, his war had come to an end. Onoda proceeded to surrender to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and was subsequently granted a full pardon. Onoda continues to live in Japan.
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Business Lessons from This Strange Historical Saga:
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Is it possible to glean business lessons from this, one of the strangest sagas in modern history? You bet!
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1) What we sometimes mistake for tenacity, perseverance and steadfastness can, in actuality, be hard-headedness, inflexibility and stubbornness. It is vital to distinguish between these opposites.
2) Clarify Instructions, Directions and Orders: In retrospect, Hiroo Onoda followed orders a little bit too well. Clarify orders, instructions and directions in business, and perhaps most importantly…have a back-up plan!
3) "No Man Is An Island!" Unfortunately, and due mainly to circumstances, Hiroo Onoda was an island unto himself. In 21st -Century business, remaining isolated, in a vacuum and out of the loop is a strategy for almost certain defeat and failure. It is crucial to network, communicate with others and share in the dissemination of knowledge, wisdom and ideas!
4) Don’t Operate On Assumption Alone: All of Hiroo Onoda’s later assumptions were false. In business, the result of false or mistaken assumption is most often missed opportunity, lost time and wasted effort. These assumptions cost Hiroo Onoda to waste thirty years of his life and resulted in numerous civilian casualties! In business, replace assumption with that which you know to be factual and true! .
5) Avoid Over-Reliance and Over-Dependence on Others: Hiroo Onoda waited and waited for his reinforcements to arrive. They never appeared. In business, we often place responsibility on others on whom we rely and depend. It is known as delegation. Waiting endlessly for others, and relying on them too heavily can often have negative effects and repercussions. The business-world is the place to personally "take the bull by its horns!"
6) Look for Signs and Messages: Look at "The Writing on the Wall!" In Onoda’s case, the signs and messages were there all along. He, rather unfortunately, chose to ignore and dismiss them. In business, we must seek out signs, messages, trends, and examine them. It is critical to sort out those messages and signs which are important and critical from those which have little bearing and weight. We must stay informed. We must read, study and fill ourselves with all of the knowledge which is available in the news, in our professions and in our businesses.
7) Use All Tools and Technology At Our Means and Disposal to Keep Abreast of What Is Happening: Had Hiroo Onoda been in possession of an iPad, cell-phone or laptop, his 29-year war might have ended decades earlier. Today, as businesspeople, we have incredible tools at our disposal to remain in touch, up-to-date and in constant contact with those around us. It is technology which provides us with additional means to succeed in our business ventures!
8) Have An Open Mind! Check stubbornness at the door! Look at varying ways, means and processes. We might think that we always know best. An open mind and one that is open to suggestion can be a critical tool in evaluating the best way to achieve our goals and desired outcomes!
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Image credits: Elderly Hiroo: japantimes.co.jp; Young Soldier Hiroo: muza.chan.net; Telephone and Pen: absinc.net; Pocketwatch: dreamstime.com; Lubang Island: amazonaws.com