Isamu Chō

Biography

Chō was a native of Fukuoka prefecture, graduating from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1913 and later from the Army Staff College in 1928, as per available records.

Following his commission, Chō served with the Kwantung Army in eastern China. He played an active role in Japanese army politics, participating directly or indirectly in events such as the March Incident and the Imperial Colors Incident. Chō co-founded the radical “Sakurakai” secret society, aiming to overthrow the democratic government in favor of a totalitarian regime.

At the onset of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chō commanded the IJA 74th Infantry Regiment during the Battle of Nanjing, where he served as aide-de-camp to Prince Asaka. His involvement in the Nanjing Massacre is disputed. Chō later engaged in border incidents between Manchukuo and the Soviet Union as Chief of Staff of the IJA 26th Division.

His assignments continued with roles in the Taiwan Army of Japan Headquarters and later as Chief of Staff of the Indochina Expeditionary Army. Chō played a significant part in the strategic planning for the Japanese invasion of Southeast Asia.

From 1942 to 1944, Chō commanded the 10th Infantry Group in Manchukuo and served in various capacities within the Kwantung Army Headquarters. He was later appointed as the commander of the 1st Mobile Brigade. In 1944, he was recalled to the Home Islands and then to Okinawa, where he became Chief of Staff of the 32nd Army during the Battle of Okinawa.

Chō orchestrated the extensive underground fortifications around Shuri Castle but favored an aggressive response to the American invasion. He convinced General Mitsuru Ushijima to launch a counteroffensive on May 5, 1945, which proved disastrous for the Japanese forces.

As the Battle of Okinawa progressed, the 32nd Army’s strength dwindled, and Chō and Ushijima decided to commit ritual suicide, known as Seppuku. On the night of their planned departure, they held a banquet in a cave housing the command post, after which they carried out the act. The bodies were buried under U.S. military auspices on June 27, 1945, near the cave where they died.