Yokusan Sonendan

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The Yokusan Sonendan (Imperial Rule Assistance Young Men's Corps) was an elite para-military organization of Japan established in January 1942, based on the model of the German Sturmabteilung (stormtroopers).[1]

The branch was marked by the most loyal and fanatical membership. Members received a deep political indoctrination and extensive military training. Their responsibilities included being the first line of defense of their own organization and national defense along with official authorities. They were obliged to use weapons provided by the organization under orders from their Director-General Kingoro Hashimoto[1] in case of defense against exterior aggression.

They also had the responsibility of watching, along with the Tonarigumi (Resident Committees) organization, their local area, and to find any local or foreign ideological enemy. They were also asked to work in civil defense or support local military countermeasures; the most advanced pupils were transferred to the Military Academy or were elected local political leaders in the Kodoha Party.[2]

In the last stages of conflict the membership of unit receiving military training in the use of special anti-tank weapons "Lunge AT Mine" (anti-tank mine in Bamboo pole), light machine guns, etc for conversion into potential reserve units in the decisive combat in the Japanese homeland. It is possible that some members in the group took part in real combat in the South Pacific Mandate, Okinawa, Chosen, Karafuto, and Kwantung during the end of the Pacific War, alongside Japanese military forces.[citation needed]

The organization was accused of committing war crimes or collaboration with Kempeitai and Unit 731 in Manchukuo and allegedly aided in experiments on humans in such lands and also in Japan proper.[citation needed]

The Yokusan Sonendan was disbanded on 30 May 1945.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Shillony, Ben-Ami (1981). Politics and Culture in Wartime Japan. Oxford University Press, 23-33, 71-75. ISBN 0198202601. 
  2. ^ Payne, Stanley G. (1996). A History of Fascism, 1914-1945. Routledge, 335. ISBN 1857285956. 
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