Senjinkun military code
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The Senjinkun was a military code of the 1930s for the Imperial Japanese forces. It was in use at the outbreak of the Pacific War, in December 1941.the Field Service Code(Senjinkun) was issued by War Minister Tojo just before the outbreak of wartimes period.
The Introduction to the Senjinkun military code stated, in part:
- The Imperial Rescript to the armed forces is explicit while the regulations and manuals clearly define conduct in combat and methods of training. Conditions in the zone of combat, however, tend to cause soldiers to be swayed by immediate events and become forgetful of their duties. Indeed, they should be wary there, lest they run counter to their duties as soldiers. The purpose of the present Code lies in providing concrete rules of conduct, in the light of past experience, so that those in zones of combat may wholly abide by the Imperial Rescript and enhance the moral virtues of the Imperial Army.
The "Senjinkun" Code treated the following subjects:
- The Empire,
- The Imperial Way (Kodoha) doctrine,
- Discipline,
- Unity,
- Co-operation,
- Aggressiveness,
- The Conviction to Win
- Piety,
- Filial Piety,
- Salutes and Manners,
- The Way of Comrades in Arms,
- Initiative in Exemplary Conduct
- Responsibility,
- Views on Life and Death,
- Honor,
- Simplicity and Fortitude,
- Integrity,
- Counsel Concerning Field Service,
- Achievements of Soldiers in the Field,
- Conclusion.
Very similar was the War Minister Anami promulgated Precepts Concerning the Decisive Battle for dissemination to the entire Army,April 8, 1945:
The precepts stipulated that Imperial Army officers and men should:
- (1) obey the Imperial Rescripts and proceed to abide by the Imperial Will,
- (2) defend Imperial soil to the last,
- (3) await the future, after preparations have been effected,
- (4) possess a deep-seated spirit of ramming suicide,
- (5) set the example for 100,000,000 compatriots.
