Report the Enemy 43-09-23 The Story of A Japanese Soldier

Summary

Summary of "Report the Enemy 43-09-23: The Story of A Japanese Soldier"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Report the Enemy 43-09-23 The Story of A Japanese Soldier
• Release Date: August 2, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Report the Enemy 43-09-23: The Story of A Japanese Soldier," Harold's Old Time Radio transports listeners to the tumultuous era before television, where families gathered around the radio to immerse themselves in gripping tales from the Golden Age of Radio. This particular episode, adapted from Bradford Smith's novel "The Arms Are Fair," delves into the moral complexities faced by Japanese soldiers during wartime, highlighting themes of loyalty, identity, and humanity.

Setting the Stage

The episode opens with an official narrator emphasizing the United States government's commitment to understanding the enemy to achieve a just and enduring peace:

Narrator (00:01): "The United States government presents this Is Our Enemy. Tonight, the United nations go forward with the determination to win this war and bring about a just and enduring peace. But we cannot win our war or make our peace unless we understand the character of the enemy we are fighting."

This introduction sets a solemn tone, preparing listeners for a story that explores the depths of enemy characterization beyond mere antagonism.

Taddeo’s Conscription

The protagonist, Taddeo Akiyama, is introduced as a dedicated mail carrier who receives a letter notifying him of his call to active duty:

Mother (01:22): "Taddeo, the mail carrier has brought a letter for you, my son."

Taddeo (01:30): "Yes. I must report to the army at once. I've been called to active duty."

Familial Tensions

A heartfelt exchange between Taddeo and his mother reveals the generational and ideological conflicts regarding the war:

Mother (01:59): "I am ignorant and stupid. There are many things I do not understand. But I know that your study of English at the university has done you harm. It has weakened your faith and filled you with discontent. Your uncle says it has given you a Western soul."

Taddeo (02:16): "He is mistaken. My soul is as Japanese as my face. Through books I have learned many things to admire in the Western world. But it is not my world. Japan is. And I must live in Japan and fight for it."

This dialogue underscores Taddeo's internal struggle between embracing Western knowledge and adhering to his cultural and nationalistic duties.

Boarding the Train: Introduction to Fellow Soldiers

As Taddeo boards a military train, he interacts with his fellow soldiers, Nakara and Captain Hojo. These interactions highlight differing perspectives on the enemy and the morality of their mission.

Early Signs of Doubt

Taddeo openly questions the dehumanization of the Chinese, reflecting his growing disillusionment:

Taddeo (05:21): "Well? The Chinese aren't much different from us, I guess. Neither better nor worse. Just people."

Captain Hojo (05:26): "You think that, do you, Captain?"

The captain reprimands Taddeo for his remarks, emphasizing the propaganda-fueled disdain for the enemy:

Captain Hojo (05:28): "Akiyama. Stand up. So you know all about the Chinese, do you? Perhaps you are half Chinese yourself."

Moral Conflict Intensifies

Throughout the journey, Taddeo grapples with the justifications of war and the humanity of his supposed enemies. His reflections reveal a deepening moral crisis:

Taddeo (02:59): "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just. It is from a play by a great English writer whose name was Shakespeare. He knew that without a just cause, war is murder and soldiers are assassins."

Connection to Humanity

Taddeo's memories of his Chinese friend Fu, and his acknowledgment of their shared humanity, further complicate his perception of the war:

Taddeo (11:02): "I had a Chinese friend once. He studied with me at the university in Tokyo. He told me that Japan had been conquered by her own army. That all the decent people were in chains. I always denied his words, but they were true. We are a lost people and we shall be hated through all the world like an unclean thing."

Station Arrival and Execution Order

Upon arriving in China, the tension escalates as Captain Hojo orders Taddeo and Nakara to execute villagers suspected of sabotage:

Captain Hojo (07:35): "You have said that you are anxious to prove yourself a brave and royal Japanese, have you not?"

Captain Hojo (08:09): "You will answer my questions with yes or no. The major has selected 20 villagers to be executed. You and a detail of 19 others are to carry out the execution. You understand?"

The Act of Execution

Taddeo participates in the brutal execution, describing the harrowing experience:

Taddeo (08:39): "I shall never forget their eyes staring with fear as we ran towards them. I shall never forget how the one I killed try to move his bound hands from behind his back as my bayonet."

This moment marks a significant turning point in Taddeo's character arc, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of war.

Rebellion and Redemption

Haunted by his actions, Taddeo ultimately decides to defy Captain Hojo's orders to further atrocities:

Taddeo (13:53): "Stay away."

Taddeo (14:00): "I will never take your orders again. No one will. You prisoners, put your hands above your heads and walk before me. I will help you escape."

In this act of defiance, Taddeo seeks redemption by attempting to protect those he was once ordered to harm, symbolizing his rejection of blind loyalty and embracing of universal humanity.

Notable Quotes

• On Just War:

  Taddeo (02:59): "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just. ... Without a just cause, war is murder and soldiers are assassins."

• On Western Influence:

  Mother (01:59): "Your study of English at the university has done you harm. It has weakened your faith and filled you with discontent."

• On Shared Humanity:

  Taddeo (05:21): "The Chinese aren't much different from us, I guess. Neither better nor worse. Just people."

• On Moral Conflict:

  Taddeo (11:02): "We are a lost people and we shall be hated through all the world like an unclean thing."

Themes and Insights

• Moral Ambiguity of War: The episode poignantly illustrates the blurred lines between right and wrong in wartime, challenging the notion of a clear-cut enemy.

• Cultural Identity vs. Western Influence: Taddeo's struggle embodies the conflict between traditional values and the influence of Western ideologies, highlighting the internal battles faced by individuals in a changing world.

• Humanity Amidst Conflict: Through Taddeo's evolving perspective, the narrative emphasizes the shared humanity that transcends national and cultural divides, advocating for empathy even in the darkest times.

Conclusion

"Report the Enemy 43-09-23: The Story of A Japanese Soldier" is a compelling exploration of the human condition during war. Through Taddeo's journey from obedient soldier to rebellious soul, the episode underscores the importance of introspection, moral integrity, and the recognition of common humanity amidst the chaos of conflict. Harold's Old Time Radio effectively brings to life Bradford Smith's narrative, offering listeners a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience.

Transcript

[Narrator]

The United States government presents this Is Our Enemy. Tonight, the United nations go forward with the determination to win this war and and bring about a just and enduring peace. But we cannot win our war or make our peace unless we understand the character of the enemy we are fighting. That is why your government is bringing these programs to you. Later, we shall hear behind the Enemy Lines a special weekly report by Matthew Gordon of the Office of War Information. And now, the story of a Japanese soldier, adapted for radio from Bradford Smith's recently published novel the Arms Are Fair.

[Mother]

Taddeo, the mail carrier has brought a letter for you, my son.

[Taddeo]

Thank you, Mother.

[Mother]

Is it the letter we have been awaiting?

[Taddeo]

Yes. I must report to the army at once. I've been called to active duty.

[Mother]

It is a great honor, Taddeo, to serve the divine Emperor. Now I will get you some wine to drink.

[Taddeo]

Thank you, but I don't care for any. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll go back to my book.

[Mother]

Another English book?

[Taddeo]

Yes, why not? We aren't at war with the English speaking nations yet.

[Mother]

I am ignorant and stupid. There are many things I do not understand. But I know that your study of English at the university has done you harm. It has weakened your faith and filled you with discontent. Your uncle says it has given you a Western soul.

[Taddeo]

He is mistaken. My soul is as Japanese as my face. Through books I have learned many things to admire in the Western world. But it is not my world. Japan is. And I must live in Japan and fight for it.

[Mother]

None will fight more bravely than you, my son.

[Taddeo]

I hope that you are right.

[Captain Hojo]

Mother.

[Taddeo]

If you don't mind now, I'd just like to continue reading. Yes, here's something. Now for our consciences. The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just.

[Mother]

I do not remember that proverb.

[Taddeo]

It is not a proverb. Now for our consciences, the arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just. It is from a play by a great English writer whose name was Shakespeare. He knew that without a just cause, war is murder and soldiers are assassins. He knew everything, this Shakespeare. I remember how Fu and I would discuss this philosophy until the dawn came. Fu? Surely you have not forgotten my Chinese friend at the university.

[Mother]

It is wrong to call him your friend now.

[Taddeo]

Yes, it is foolish. Certainly. Fu has become my enemy. If I meet him in China, he will try to kill me and I will try to kill him. Mother, I think I will have some wine. After all, wine puts thought to sleep. It is not good to think too much wrong.

[Nakara]

It seems as though we had been on the boat a long time. Does it not, Tadeo?

[Taddeo]

Yes, Nakara. Time passes slowly when one is homesick.

[Nakara]

Would you care to see this picture of my worthless family? The children are rather ugly, but they are my own.

[Taddeo]

No, they are beautiful.

[Nakara]

My wife has taken them to live with my father while I'm off fighting.

[Taddeo]

Tadeo, here comes Homer. I shall go somewhere else one day.

[Nakara]

Oh, don't go, Tadeo. I do not like him much either.

[Taddeo]

But I have good news. We get to China.

[Nakara]

How do you know, Homa?

[Taddeo]

I heard the Major tell Captain Hojo.

[Nakara]

I wonder what China will be like. Huh?

[Taddeo]

Full of women, they say. Chinese women will. There will be no women at the front. The front will be all right. Plenty of killing. I. I like killing. But women are good, too.

[Nakara]

I have never seen a Chinese.

[Taddeo]

The Chinese.

[Nakara]

I wonder what sort of people they are. Do you know, Tadeo?

[Taddeo]

Well? The Chinese aren't much different from us, I guess. Neither better nor worse. Just people.

[Captain Hojo]

You think that, do you, Captain?

[Taddeo]

Holy.

[Captain Hojo]

Akiyama. Tadeo. Stand up. So you know all about the Chinese, do you? Perhaps you are half Chinese yourself.

[Taddeo]

I do not understand you, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

You will deny, perhaps, that you have inserted the divine Emperor here on the open deck where anyone could hear you.

[Taddeo]

I was not conscious of disrespect.

[Nakara]

Homma.

[Taddeo]

You. Yes.

[Captain Hojo]

Did this man say that we are no better than the Chinese?

[Taddeo]

Yes. Yes, that was it. No better. I only meant that when we meet the Chinese, we shall probably find they have thoughts and feelings much like ourselves.

[Captain Hojo]

I should report you to the Major for your words. You know very well that we are the arms and legs of His Sacred Majesty. Yet you try to stir up dangerous feelings by saying that we are the same as the Chinese. You dare imply we are not divinely born?

[Taddeo]

I think, Captain, you will find me as ready to fight as the next.

[Captain Hojo]

I shall remember to see that you have a chance to prove these words. I shall remember. Very well.

[Nakara]

I am here, Tadeo. Are you hurt?

[Taddeo]

No. Only a scratch on the arm. Yourself?

[Nakara]

I'm all right, I think.

[Taddeo]

Was the train sabotage? This is our welcome to China.

[Nakara]

But the people who were to greet us as deliverers.

[Taddeo]

When the Major prepared this surprise for us, perhaps they were too shy to wait and see how we would receive it. Or perhaps they are watching us now. Millions and millions of hours screaming at us. All of them darting at us with hate.

[Captain Hojo]

Akiyama. Tadeo. Step forward. You have said that you are anxious to prove yourself a brave and royal Japanese, have you not?

[Taddeo]

Yes, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

Well, I am going to give you a chance, as I promised. The Chinese dogs in this village have refused to revere the names of the murderers who wrecked our troop train. Those who protect the guilty are guilty themselves. You know that, do you not?

[Taddeo]

Yes, sir. But is there any certainty that the train wreckers came from this place? There are other villages nearby, and there are perhaps gorillas.

[Captain Hojo]

You will answer my questions with yes or no. The major has selected 20 villagers to be executed. You and a detail of 19 others are to carry out the execution. You understand?

[Taddeo]

Yes. They are to be shot.

[Captain Hojo]

No, bayoneted. Their hands and feet will be tied and they will stand in a row facing you. When I give the signal, you are to charge them. And you are to charge with spirit. The rest of the village will be looking on. And you are to show them that your. Your heart is in your work.

[Taddeo]

Oh, if only they had been blindfolded, Nakarua. If only their captain had covered their eyes. I shall never forget their eyes staring with fear as we ran towards them. I shall never forget how the one I killed try to move his bound hands from behind his back as my bayonet. But I lie, and I say I shall never forget those bound, helpless men. In a month, they will be blotted out by the other crimes I've seen and done.

[Nakara]

Ah, it is good to walk on Saur street again instead of in mud. Do you think we shall stay long in Pai Xing, Tadeo?

[Taddeo]

How should I know? Our planes have not left much of it to stay in. Look about you.

[Nakara]

Here comes Homa and some of the others in our squad shall return back. I. I have no wish to meet them.

[Taddeo]

Oh, they're too busy breaking into that house to notice us.

[Nakara]

One would think they had enough root by now.

[Taddeo]

Do you hear?

[Nakara]

Come away, Tadio. There are only two of us. We can do nothing. Yeah, you too.

[Taddeo]

Come in and sham the fun. He is drunk.

[Nakara]

Don't listen.

[Taddeo]

Come away.

[Nakara]

Men forget themselves when they have drunk too much and when they have not been near women for a long time. Let us go back and sleep. Forget what we have seen, Taddeo.

[Taddeo]

How can I forget? Do you think there's any excuse for what we do in China?

[Nakara]

No, there is none. Someday these things may happen to my wife and my children in revenge. And the fault will be mine. But what can we do, Tado? What can we do?

[Taddeo]

I don't know. I had a Chinese friend once. He studied with me at the university in Tokyo. He told me that Japan had been conquered by her own army. That all the decent people were in chains. I always denied his words, but they were true. We are a lost people and we shall be hated through all the world like an unclean thing.

[Nakara]

Here are our quarters. Let us go in sleep.

[Captain Hojo]

Akiyama. Sadayo, is that you?

[Taddeo]

Yes, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

I have some work for you. Leave your companion and follow me.

[Taddeo]

Yes, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

In here. Those prisoners are to be examined. The interpreter here will ask them how many Chinese troops escaped from the city. And it is to be hoped that they will answer. You are ready, Interpreter?

[Taddeo]

I am ready, Captain Hojo.

[Captain Hojo]

Good. Now, Tadeo, the Chinese are your brothers, are they not? You understand them? If they deny us the information we seek, you will know how to make them talk. Or if you do not know, I shall give you a demonstration. Bring the first man forward. Where, Interpreter, what does this one say?

[Nakara]

He is like Alderis.

[Taddeo]

He says that he does not know.

[Captain Hojo]

Tadeo, the cigarette this time in his nostrils. Fool. You have let it go out. Here, take mine.

[Taddeo]

Yes, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

Ask him what he says now.

[Nakara]

The coward has fainted, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

Very well, Corporal. Just take him and the others that you have questioned. Away. Dispose of them. There is no need to waste bullets. You may get gasoline at the truck depot if you wish.

[Taddeo]

It shall be done. Fire. Joe. Out.

[Captain Hojo]

Stay here. We still have two prisoners. I wish to show you some techniques I have developed myself. Oh, Interpreter, you may go if you wish. I think you would enjoy watching the deaths outside.

[Taddeo]

Thank you, Captain Ojo. You are most thoughtful.

[Captain Hojo]

Now, Tadeo, strip one of the prisoners. Well, what are you waiting for?

[Taddeo]

You have the bayonet, Captain. It would be more diverting to use a bayonet. I have an idea of my own.

[Captain Hojo]

Oh, you improve. There. Here it is.

[Taddeo]

Thank you, Captain.

[Captain Hojo]

Hozio, what are you doing? Stay away from me.

[Taddeo]

Stay away.

[Nakara]

Help.

[Taddeo]

Corporal. Corporal. New techniques, Captain. Hojo, I will never take your orders again. No one will. You prisoners, put your hands above your heads and walk before me. I will help you escape. But we must be careful. Out the door, quickly. Tanho.

[Nakara]

Tadir. Tadir, what has happened? Where are you going?

[Taddeo]

Go away from here, Colonel. I'll kill Hojo.

[Nakara]

Tadir, you have killed him. Where are you taking these men?

[Taddeo]

Outside the city. If I can do safety, I shall come with you. No, no. It does not matter what happened to me. I'm going to kill myself after I have seen them safe. No, no.

[Nakara]

I'll help you. If anyone stops us, we shall say we are taking them to be executed at the Captain's orders. Everybody is too drunk to be suspicious.

[Taddeo]

Here. Out this door. All right, then. All right, you prisoners. We are going to run that way. We will stick together. I shall try to protect you with my gun.

[Captain Hojo]

Ready?

[Taddeo]

Run. Look.