Japanese - Soldier | April 4, 1884 - April 18, 1943
Even though there wasn't much damage, it's a disgrace that the skies over the imperial capital should have been defiled without a single enemy plane being shot down. It provides a regrettably graphic illustration of the saying that a bungling attack is better than the most skillful defense.
Isoroku Yamamoto
SayingBetterDownEnemySkiesOver
To fight the United States is like fighting the whole world. But it has been decided. So I will fight the best I can.
BestFightWorldFightingI Can
I sincerely desire to be appointed Commander in Chief of the air fleet to attack Pearl Harbor so that I may personally command that attack force.
DesireAirForceMayAttackChief
A man of real purpose puts his faith in himself always. Sometimes he refuses even to put his faith in the gods. So from time to time, he falls into error.
FaithTimeManPurposeSometimesHe
If we are to have a war with America, we will have no hope of winning unless the U.S. fleet in Hawaiian waters can be destroyed.
HopeWarWinningAmericaWillFleet
A military man can scarcely pride himself on having smitten a sleeping enemy; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten.
ManPrideEnemySleepingMatter
If a war breaks out with the United States, the navy will have to put all its strength into interceptive operations, so... massive sea-borne supplies might be momentarily interrupted.
StrengthWarNavyWillOutUnited
The example afforded before the Great War by Germany - which, if only it had exercised forbearance for another five or ten years, would by now be unrivaled in Europe - suggests that the task facing us now is to build up our strength calmly and with circumspection.
StrengthGreatWarNowBuildTask
Even a burglar hesitates to go back for more.
BackGoMoreEvenBurglarHesitates
Japan has always regarded the aircraft carrier as one of the most offensive of armaments.
AlwaysOffensiveJapanAircraftMost
I felt from the start that America was not likely to relinquish lightly positions established at the cost of such sacrifices, and I pressed the view that a high degree of preparation and willingness to make sacrifices would be necessary on our side, but everybody here always persists in facile optimism until the very worst actually happens.
OptimismPreparationStartViewHigh
I was once the captain of Akagi, and it is with heartfelt regret that I must now order that she be sunk.
RegretNowCaptainSheOrderMust
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