Isoroku Yamamoto Quotations

Today, as chief Of the guardians of the seas Of the land of the dawn, I gaze up with awe At the rising sun!

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.

The fate of the Empire rests on this enterprise. Every man must devote himself totally to the task in hand.

Japan would never invade the United States. We would find a rifle behind every blade of grass.

But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success.

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. I would rather you made your appraisal after seeing what the enemy does, since it is certain that, angered and outraged, he will soon launch a determined counterattack.

The mindless rejoicing at home is really appalling; it makes me fear that the first blow against Tokyo will make them wilt at once...I only wish that [the Americans] had also had, say, three carriers at Hawaii...

In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success.

Japan has always regarded the aircraft carrier as one of the most offensive of armaments.

Anyone who has seen the auto factories in Detroit and the oil fields in Texas knows that Japan lacks the national power for a naval race with America.