Chapter 5 Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army
Chandra Bose, who moved Japan
Chandra Bose arrived in Japan on May 16, 1943, via dangerous voyage aboard submarines from
Germany. After his arrival, on June 10, Bose met Prime Minister Tojo Hideki. The prime minister was
almost instantly charmed by Chandra Bose’s humanity and firm determination toward the
independence of India. On June 20, Chandra Bose’s visit to Japan was officially announced andmorning-edition newspapers posted Bose’s message to the country. After the sad news of Secretary of
the Navy Yamamoto Isoroku’s death in action in the past May and the disadvantageous battle
conditions, the Japanese people were beginning to realize that Japan was losing the war. In such an
atmosphere, Chandra Bose’s words were meant to make Japan recognize the significance of theGreater East Asian War:
“Japan was the first powerful country in East Asia that tried to stop the current of invasion washing
Asia in the 19th century. The victory of Japan over Russia in 1905 was the starting point for Asiaand fanatically welcomed by the Indian public. For Asian restoration, a powerful Japan is mostneeded now at present as it was in the past. It is true that Indian people’s view of Japan was
somewhat worsened by the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. However, now that theGreater East Asian War broke out and the situation has changed, Japan is fighting against theenemy of India, and Chongqing [China’s Government at that time] joins the American and British
side. On top of that, Chiang Kai-shek is fully supporting the continuation of the British rule over
Burma and India. The Indian public show not the least interest in ideological struggle forindependence, but they are whole-heartedly yearning for political and economical liberation ofIndia. Naturally, then, all powers that support Indian independence are all Indian friends.”
Revolutionary Chandra Bose, written by Inagaki Takeshi, published by Shincho-sha.
Chandra Bose admired Japan’s contribution to Asia and strongly criticized the fact that Chiang Kaishek was practically a puppet of Britain and the United States. At the same time, he clearly stated thatthe aim of the Indian National Army was strictly the independence of India. On July 4, Chandra Bose
succeeded Behari Bose as the new leader of the Indian National Army in Singapore and announced aplan to establish the Provisional Government of Free India, emphasizing that for liberty andindependence, it was utmost necessary to fight resolutely, in defiance of dangerous forced march,
hunger or even death. His speech was received with enthusiastic applause by the Indian National Armysoldiers. And on July 5, Prime Minister Tojo landed in Singapore via Manila and inspected the INA
troops. On that occasion, Chandra Bose gave the legendary address, “Chalo Delhi (March to Delhi)!”
The slogan of “Chalo Delhi” later became the military song of the Indian National Army:
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“Soldiers and friends, let us make ‘Chalo Delhi’ our slogan. I do not know how many of us willsurvive to look up at the sun of liberty. However, I do know that we will win the final victory andour mission shall never end until the surviving heroes make a victory march to Red Fort, Delhi.”
Revolutionary Chandra Bose, written by Inagaki Takeshi, published by Shincho-sha.
Prime Minister Tojo was deeply moved by this speech and after Chandra Bose spoke, Prime Minister
Tojo stated that Japan had no territorial ambition against India and promised that Japan would totallysupport India’s independence with all her might. We cannot basically talk about the support Japangave India for its fight for independence from the time of the ensuing Greater East Asian Conference
to the Battle of Imphal, without mentioning the deep sympathy Prime Minister Tojo felt toward
Chandra Bose. Certainly, there are many views within Japan when it comes to evaluating Prime
Minister Tojo, but no one can deny his contribution to the realization of the Indian independence.
And Chandra Bose newly organized a women’s corps within the Indian National Army. The Japaneseside did not understand why he had women without any military training join the army. Probably,
Chandra Bose wanted to show that this independence war was the entire Indian people’s will, whether
men or women, and he also wanted to eliminate as much as possible the deep-rooted Indian custom of
dominance of men over women and discouragingly negative regard for women’s social activities. In
addition, Chandra Bose strongly requested that when the Indian National Army marched into India,
the Indian National Army should march foremost and independently from the Japanese Army. Chandra
Bose hopefully thought that in that manner, it would be clearly proven that the Indian National Army
was not the puppet of the Japanese Army.
Determination toward Indian independence expressed during the Greater East Asian
Conference
On another occasion, Chandra Bose emphasized again that the Indian National Army was anindependent army and that the cooperation with Japan was of significance in terms of the world
history: he attended the Greater East Asian Conference held in Tokyo on November 5, 1943, as adelegate from the provisional Government of Free India and made a speech.
The Greater East Asian Conference was attended by Wang Jingwei, President of the Republic of China(Nanjing), Zhang Jinghui, Prime Minister of the Empire of Manchuria, Jose P. Laurel, President of the
Republic of the Philippines, Ba Maw, Head of State and Prime Minister of the State of Burma and
Wan Waithayakon, Prince and Envoy from the Kingdom of Thailand. After Prime Minister Tojo Hideki
made an opening address, the other participants rose to the stage and spoke. The most powerful and2Participating leaders in the Greater East Asian Conference, Prime Minister Tojo
at the center, Chandra Bose at the far rightprofound speech was given by Chandra Bose from Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India).
First, Prime Minister Tojo definitively stated in his opening address, after criticizing Anglo-American
aggressive attitudes against Asia and the world, that international justice and world peace in the AngloAmerican terms is nothing but colonial exploitation of Asia by Europe and the United States after all:
The British Empire for several centuries in the past obtained the vast territories stretching all overthe earth by aggression and conquer and in order to maintain their advantageous status, they havemade various countries compete and conflict with one another throughout the world. The UnitedStates, on the other hand, taking advantage of this incessantly tumultuous situations in Europe, notonly established the sovereignty over the American continent, but also spread its fangs over the
Pacific and Asia after the Spanish-American War and has been aspiring to finally conquer theworld in alliance with the British Empire since World War I. After World War II broke out, theUnited States took a further leap forward, reaching to North Africa, West Africa, the Atlantic,
Australia, Near East and India, aiming to take the place of the British Empire.
The Anglo-American favorite phrase of the establishment of international justice and assurance ofworld peace is nothing short of the sustenance of their own selfish order through aggravating
conflicts and struggles among Asian countries and permanently continuing colonial exploitation3

in Asia. Looking at such Anglo-American behaviors in Asia, we must say that they invade
politically, exploit economically and behind the beautiful name of education and culture, they
make Asian peoples lose their ethnicity and conflict with each other to fulfill their own aspiration.
Thus, peoples in Asian countries have constantly had their existence threatened, their peace broken,
and their living oppressed and kept from making natural development, to this day.
[Address given by Tojo Hideki at the Greater East Asian Conference]
Tojo went on to state that the Greater East Asian War was now entering a new stage of establishing a
new order for mutual prosperity by and among the Asian peoples:
As soon as the Greater East Asian War commenced, the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy fought
wisely and gallantly and wiped out the Anglo-American invaders throughout the East Asia within
less than six months. This is a decisive battle to win or lose for the peoples of the Greater East
Asia. By winning this battle, the peoples of the Greater East Asia can secure eternally their
existence on this great earth of East Asia and enjoy co-prosperity. The successful accomplishmentof the Greater East Asian War means the firm foundation for the new order of the Greater East
Asia. [Omitted]
The order of co-existence and co-prosperity in the Greater East Asia is based on the intrinsic moral
spirit of the Greater East Asia which in this respect is fundamentally different from the old order
based on the Anglo-American attitudes of undauntedly committing wrong-doing, deception or
exploitation for their own prosperity.
The countries of the Greater East Asia respect each other’s sovereignty and independence, forming
a friendly sphere, as a whole. No friendship can be found anywhere where one uses another as amere means for one’s own sake.
[Tojo Hideki’s address at the Greater East Asian Conference]
However, in India, then, the cruel British rule of oppression continued and particularly at that time,
more than three million people were starved to death in the Bengal district. This was, indeed, a humancaused disaster by the British rule. And then, led by Chandra Bose, the Indian National Army and theProvisional Government of Free India were born, holding the flag of Indian independence.
How should we regard the way the British-American side treats India? Now, the British oppression
is getting worse and worse by the day and by the month. [Omitted] The four hundred million Indianpeople are in constant agonies beyond words. Especially, the catastrophe of the recent,4

unprecedentedly disastrous famine is something that even the British-American side cannot
overlook.
Thus, in India, firm-willed patriots are all thrown into prison while innocent people are all starving
and crying. This is truly a tragedy for the entire world and a lament to all humankind. We, peoplesof the Greater East Asia can never leave this situation as it is. Time has come and filled withrighteous indignation, Subhas Chandra Bose rose and in response to his call, the Indian people
both at home and abroad equally stood up. Now, the Provisional Government of India wasestablished and the foundation for Indian independence has been completed. The Imperial Japanpromised domestically and internationally to provide every cooperation and support for the
independence of India.
[Tojo Hideki’s address at the Greater East Asian Conference]
And in response to Prime Minister Tojo’s call, Chandra Bose stated at the Greater East Asian
Conference his determination toward Indian independence:
I am sure that we of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind and all those who under theleadership of our Government will launch the last struggle against Anglo-American imperialism,
will now go to war against our sworn enemy with the consciousness that behind us stands not only
the invincible might of Nippon, but also the united will and grim determination of the emancipatednations of East Asia.
[Omitted]
For India, there is no other path, but the path of uncompromising struggle against British
imperialism. Even if it were possible for other nations to think of compromising with England, for
the Indian people, at least, it is out of the question. Compromising with Britain means tocompromise with slavery and we are determined not to compromise with slavery any more.
I, therefore, want to assure Your Excellencies, that come what may, no matter how long and hardthe struggle may be, no matter what the suffering and the sacrifice involved may prove to be, weare determined to fight to the bitter end, being fully confident of our final victory.
[Omitted]
I do not know how many of the members of our National Army will survive the coming war, butthat is of no consequence to us. Whether we individually live or die, whether we survive the war
and live to see India free or not, what is of consequence is the fact that India shall be free, that
Anglo-American imperialism shall be wiped out of India, and the menace that now hangs over thewhole of East Asia will be removed, once and for all.
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[Chandra Bose’s address at the Greater East Asian Conference]
And Chandra Bose spoke in appreciation that the Greater East Asian War was the reenactment of theideal of “Asia is one” dreamt of by Okakura Tenshin and that the Greater East Asian Declaration
adopted at the conference was its political statement. To Bose, the Greater East Asian Conference was
not at all a conference of puppet states of Japan as certain historians assert, but a historical, epochmaking conference leading to the independence of Asian countries, although with the help of Japan,
and paving a way to the liberation of all the peoples under oppression in the entire world. The
principles mentioned in the Joint Declaration of the Greater East Asian Conference, which was
unanimously adopted on November 6, and Chandra Bose’s speech praising the declaration were:
1) The countries of Greater East Asia through mutual cooperation will ensure the stability of theirregion and construct an order of common prosperity and well-being based upon justice.
2) The countries of Greater East Asia will ensure the fraternity of nations in their region, by
respecting one another’s sovereignty and independence and practicing mutual assistance andamity.
3) The countries of the Greater East Asia by respecting one another’s traditions and developing thecreative faculties of each race, will enhance the culture and civilization of Greater East Asia.
4) The countries of Greater East Asia will endeavor to accelerate their economic development
through close cooperation upon a basis of reciprocity and to promote thereby the generalprosperity of their region.
5) The countries of Greater East Asia will cultivate friendly relations with all the countries of theworld, and work for the abolition of racial discrimination, the promotion of cultural intercourse
and the opening of resources throughout the world, and contribute thereby to the progress of
mankind.
[The Greater East Asia Joint Declaration]
Your Excellencies, in setting out to create a new order based on the sublime principles of justice,national sovereignty, reciprocity, and mutual aid and assistance, you are undertaking a task whichis the noblest that the human mind can conceive. I pray to God that your noble efforts may becrowned with success. I pray to God that the dreams of Okakura Kakuzo and Sun Yat-sen may betranslated into reality. And I pray to God that this Joint Declaration which this historic Assembly
has unanimously adopted this afternoon may prove to be a charter for the nations of East Asia and,what is more, a charter for the suppressed nations of the whole world. [Omitted][Omitted] I may assure Your Excellency, that if you and your distinguished colleagues succeed in6this mission, as I hope, I trust, and I believe, you will – your names will go down in history not
merely as the makers of a new Asia, but as the makers and the architects of a new word.
[Chandra Bose’s address at the Greater East Asian Conference]

The Greater East Asian War, which was the Greater East Asia Itself
In order to show that Japan’s promise was not an empty one, Prime Minister Tojo designated occupied
Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands as the territories of the Provisional Government of Free India.
In addition, on November 14 at Hibiya Public Hall, Chandra Bose gave an address titled “The Path toIndependent India”, which was then published and sold as a booklet by Taisei Yokusan-kai Kou-a
honbu (Prosperous Asian Headquarters of Imperial Rule Assistance Association). In this address,
Chandra Bose spoke of the process toward gaining the Indian independence in a more historic andgeneral manner. In the introduction of this booklet, written by Ohkawa Shumei, Ohkawa accepted
Chandra Bose’s thought as a Japanese intellectual at that time and responded to it:
The new chapter of world history, having been opened by Japan’s victory in the Russo-JapaneseWar, moved on to the right direction and time has now come for all countries in Asia to raise theirflag of liberty. This flag is already flying in the skies over Rangoon and Manila, and about to fly
over Delhi. The national flag of Free India is moving forward from Singapore to Burma and finallywhen the flag streams over the roof of the Governor-General’s Office standing high in Delhi, thehistorical significance of the Greater East Asian War will be culminated. Listening to honorable
bearer of this dignified flag, His Excellency Mr. Chandra Bose, his voice filled with reason,courage, and assurance, we are overwhelmed by boundless joy to feel confident of Free India’s
final victory.
[Omitted]
Now, the Greater East Asian War has become the Greater East Asian War for the Greater East Asia
itself, not the Greater East Asian War for Japan. The British-American enemy is fighting backfiercely like a pitiless demon, aiming to enslave the liberated peoples again and to drag the hardwon paradise of co-prosperity and co-existence back to the cruel hell of exploitation. The battle isbeing fought in the scale and fierceness that human has never experienced before.
[Introduction by Ohkawa Shumei to The Path to Independent India, written by Subhas
Chandra Bose, edited by Taisei Yokusan-kai koa honbu]
Thus, Ohkawa clearly stated that the Greater East Asian War was fought not for Japan but for the entire
Asia and defined the Greater East Asian War as the battle of Asian peoples aiming to be independent
from the colonial rule against Europe and America aiming to maintain the colonial regime, and not thestruggle of fascism versus democracy. To compare Hitler’s Nazi Germany that would not help Chandra
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Bose with Japan trying to march into India with the Indian soldiers, evidently Ohkawa’s view of theGreater East Asian War was perfectly correct. While Nazi Germany’s war in Europe aimed to ruleover each country and people and sometimes to enslave specific races regarded as “inferior,” at least,
the Japanese Army in the Greater East Asian War realized the independence of the colonized regions.
As widely known, there are three great leaders in India. Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, and His
Excellency Bose. Mahatma Gandhi is fighting against Britain, solely with the power of the souleven today. However, it is absolutely impossible to beat Britain with the power of the soul only. In
fact, against Gandhi’s protest by fasting for three weeks, Britain did not make the least concession.
Nehru is fighting against Britain with the power of the word. However, no matter what reasonable
and passionate speeches and sentences Nehru delivered, his verbal weapons cannot change theironclad rule of India by Britain a bit. For India to truly win liberty and independence, India must
use the power of the sword, in addition to the power of the soul. Fortunately, the third leader His
Excellency Bose has risen, taking up the sword. His Excellency Bose fully understands the powerof the sword and now firmly allying with us is about to march toward Delhi, leading the newly
formed Indian National Army.
[Introduction by Ohkawa Shumei to The Path to Independent India, written by Subhas
Chandra Bose, edited by Taisei Yokusan-kai koa honbu]
Chandra Bose stated the same recognition as Ohkawa’s at the lecture he gave on November 14, 1943,
at Hibiya Public Hall:
The most fundamental cause of this War can be found in the fact that a handful of countries
insatiably seek to maintain what they have obtained through unlawful means and further gain
more and more. The most outstanding of these few countries are Britain and the UnitedStates.[Omitted]
Both the United States and Britain busily attempt to spread the wrong idea that Japan andGermany are fascist and imperialist and that therefore it is for the sake of the whole mankind tofight against these emerging new countries. Many people have been confused by this evil
propaganda coming from our enemies, the United States and Britain. So have the Indian people.
[Omitted]
However, I have never been puzzled by such propaganda myself. From the very beginning, I havebeen advocating that a serious battle will inevitably occur between the countries trying tomaintain the status quo and those trying to establish a new order and that India should heartily8

cooperate with the country representing the new order. That is because for India the status quomeans to remain in the status of a British colony forever and to be kept in slavery. That is why I
have pointed out that their evil propaganda against fascism and imperialism is a mere attempt tocamouflage the battle between the status quo and the new order. [Omitted]
I am confident that we can win liberty only through taking up arms and shedding blood and I
have never once vowed to keep the passive resistance to the end. In this respect, I differ from the
Honorable Mahatma Gandhi and our view is well understood by Gandhi and the Indian generalpublic. Fortunately, we have the Indian National Army. And behind us stands the strong supportof powerful Japan equipped with the ever-winning and never-losing scheme.
And so, though we are fully aware of the magnitude of our work, we will accept the challenge ofthe battle, with deep confidence in our victory.
[Introduction by Ohkawa Shumei, written by Chandra Bose, The Path to the Indian
Independence, edited by Taisei Yokusan-kai, koa sohonbu.]

The failure of the Battle of Imphal and the death of Bose
Chandra Bose wanted the Indian National Army to lead the march into India at any moment. In reality,
however, although 6, 000 troops of the Indian National Army fought in the Battle of Imphal, theoperation itself turned out to be a total failure, with casualties of 400 deaths in action out of the 6,000,
1,500 deaths by hunger or illness and 800 soldiers were too weak to move and became prisoners ofwar. There were many missing in action, and only 2,600 returned safe, 2,000 out of whom wereseriously injured or ill and needed to be immediately hospitalized. The military problem and the direreality of the battleground where deaths by starvation or illness outnumbered deaths in action will not
be talked about here. The leaders of the Indian National Army tried to resolutely remain as close tohomeland India as possible or within India just crossing the national border and fought there. Chandra
Bose solely wanted to be sent to the very war front. Even after the failure in the Battle of Imphal
became inevitable, Chandra Bose strongly insisted that they should continue fighting and never leave
the Burma-India border even if the Japanese Army retreated, which he believed would send an
encouraging message to his Indian people. But his wish was not accepted.
Amid the failure in the battle and the ensuing disastrous situation, the British Army was about to invade
Burma. Chandra Bose gathered the INA leaders around him and told them his determination to fightto the end, together with the Japanese Army:In such adverse circumstances, some may doubt what sense it will make to keep cooperating with
the Japanese Army, shoulder to shoulder, any longer. However, if we are to betray the Japanese
9Army now, we will be blamed for having been a mere fair-weather friend to the Japanese Army.
[Revolutionary Chandra Bose, written by Inagaki Takeshi, published by Shincho-sha]
And Chandra Bose continued to state that even if the Indian National Army was defeated militarily,
their fighting was sure to be justified politically and ideologically. In July 1944, Chandra Bose statedduring a radio broadcast of the Rangoon Radio Broadcast for domestic Indian listeners, titled “To
Reverend Gandhi, our national father”:
While in East Asia, I visited China and came to learn more closely about the Chinese issue. The
Chongqing Government is working autocratically. Personally, I do not disagree to autocracy
having a justifiable idea. However, the autocratic Chongqing Government is clearly under theAmerican influence. Unfortunately, the Britain and the United States have been successful inmaking the Chongqing Government leaders believe that if Japan is to lose the war, China will
become the leading power in Asia. In fact, however, if Japan should lose the war, China would beunder the American control, which is tragic to China and the whole of Asia.
[Omitted] I understand the propaganda operation by the Chongqing Government is under way inIndia and Indian people came to sympathize with China’s propaganda. However, the Chongqing
Government now liable for Wall Street and Lombard Street will no longer deserve the Indianpeople’s sympathy after Japan set up a new China policy.
Indian Independence Fighters and the Japanese People, edited and written by Hara Yoshiaki,
published by Tenden-sha.
Chandra Bose continued to state that the Chiang Kai-shek Government teaming up with Britain andthe United States had no intention to support the independence of India and that the Chiang Kai-shek
Government propagating the Indian National Army as a puppet of Japan and Japan’s war as an act ofinvasion was the very puppet of Britain and the United States, adding that Japan’s defeat in the war
would only lead to the strengthened Anglo-American control over Asia. In April 1945, the JapaneseArmy and the Indian National Army defending Burma finally fell and were obliged to retreat from
Rangoon. Chandra Bose declared that he would walk on to the end with the Indian National Army,
including the women’s corps whose formation he himself had ordered and absolutely refused to escapeto safety and desert his men and women.
Retreating to Bangkok and further to Saigon, Chandra Bose tried to fight, leading the remaining Indian
National Army. And finally, the day of Japan’s defeat came on August 15.

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Chandra Bose still wanted to fight against Britain and with a plan to exile himself in the Soviet Union
in mind, he flew from Saigon to Taiwan on August 17. On August 18, he took off again, this time, for
Manchuria. But immediately after takeoff, the plane overloaded with men and resources for war
suffered an accident. Bose was covered with gasoline and fire all over the body. All on board
desperately tried to extinguish the fire and rescued Bose and carried him to hospital, in vain.
Reportedly, Chandra Bose died at the hospital at the age of 48.
Bose’s ashes were buried at Renko-ji Temple, Suginami, Tokyo and his grave sits there to this day.
Seventy-five years after the War ended, on August 18, a ceremonial service in memory of Chandra
Bose is held annually at Renko-ji Temple, attended by Japanese, Indian and Bangladeshi admirers. On
the other hand, there is a theory that no such airplane accident occurred at Matsuyama airport in Taipei,
where the accident reportedly took place. Mystery also surrounds Bose’s death and his remains. A
news source reported that Bose’s bereaved family has been asking for DNA testing, which has not yet
been fulfilled.
However, the Indian National Army, which Chandra Bose had left, did carry out “the march to Delhi,”
which they could not in the battleground, in another way.
Due to Japan’s defeat in the war, the nearly 20,000 strong Indian National Army at that timesurrendered. First, Britain tried to put three leaders of the Indian National Army, Colonel Sha Nawaz
Khan, Colonel Prem Kumar Sigal, Major Grubashushi Dillon, on trial at Red Fort (a fort in Delhi).
Quite reversely, Indian newspapers largely reported, based on statements made by former INA
prisoners of war, that the Indian National Army was not a puppet of Japan, but they were patriots
fighting for the independence of India. The Indian Congress Party holding the different political
position from Bose asked for the release of the National Army officers and Nehru himself appeared incourt as a special defender for the defendants.
Fujiwara Iwaichi, who had endeavored for the foundation of the Indian National Army went over to
India and testified before court. Besides, those concerned at that time also showed up to bear witness
for the defendants. One of them said to the defendants, “If it would help make your verdict less severe
for us to say that you were mere puppets of Japan, we will do so.” Hearing this, all the defendants got
puzzled and angry and strongly protested, “We voluntarily joined the Indian National Army and fought
solely for the Indian independence of our own will. If we are to be punished by death for our action,
let it be. So, all of you, please, never make such false statement.” Fujiwara Iwaichi stated before courtthat all of the Indian National Army participated in the war of their own free will.”

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The sensation caused among Indian people by the bravery of the Indian National Army directly
developed into the nation-wide independence movement. During the ongoing trials, day after day,vehement demonstrations and general strikes supporting the Indian National Army erupted throughout
India. On December 30, 1945, the court-martial judged the defendant three National Army officers to
be guilty, but the verdict was not made public in fear of the public anger. On June 1, 1946, the executionof the sentence was immediately suspended, and the defendants were set free.
Britain, feeling humiliated by that situation, tried to continue the court-martial of the INA officers,which backfired and further escalated the independence movement and finally some in the army roseto action. In February 1946, Indian soldiers belonging to the British Navy rose and occupied several
tens of vessels in Bombay, Karachi and Calcutta and pulled down the Union Flags. The British Air
Force and the Army were also affected and amid ongoing general strikes and civilian upheavals,
Britain was driven to dead end. In 1946, the then Prime Minister Attlee virtually recognized the
independence of India and through ensuing negotiations, finally, on August 15, 1947, India became
independent.
In the Battle of Imphal, called “the worst battle in history,” Japanese soldiers lost their lives and fell
due to illness, injuries, and starvation, far outnumbering the casualties among the Indian National
Army soldiers. Around 90,000 or 100,000 Japanese soldiers supposedly participated in the Battle ofImphal, and there were various accounts when it comes to the numbers of Japanese officers andsoldiers killed in action, injured or missing. The exact numbers are unknown. Twelve thousand men
are said to have returned home to Japan after the war. It is certain that tens of thousands of Japanesesoldiers became victims of this battle. To Japan, the Battle of Imphal was the worst battle operation,with no rewarding results at the cost of the enormous human lives. One thing is certain. The Battle ofImphal paved the way to the Indian independence. Chandra Bose fell before he came to see theindependence of his beloved country India. I do think it my duty to tell as many people as possiblethat the cooperation between the Indian National Army and the Japanese Army preciously brought byChandra Bose and Prime Minister Tojo Hideki resulted in the independence of the Indian people.

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