Gen. Stilwell finds Chiang's army a loose confederation of feudal warlords of dubious loyalty and capability. The war news are unbelievably good. Their spirits are enshrined in our school Shin to shrine. Every morning, we gather in the school yard, rain or shine, and bow to the Emperor first and then to the Shrine. After which, we do exercises and listen to the principal's sermon of the day.
Japan occupies most of the Southeast Asia.
Each student receives a rubber ball and a rice cake - compliments of the Emperor. The War has not affected us at all so far. Everything is going very well for Japan and the war will end soon in Japanese victory, so says our principal. Every time a local man is killed in action, we go through a Yashikuni ceremony. The dead man's ashes come in a small cardboard or wooden box painted white.