Hiroo Onoda is a Japanese holdout or straggler (a soldier who continued to fight after the surrender of Japan in 1944. [because they either did not know the war ended, they had orders to continue fighting, or refused to believe that the war ended). Hiroo died this January.

Japan was a very different place between the 1950s and 70s (When Onoda was holding out). In the 50s, Japan was the 2nd most powerful naval nation and possessed the 9th largest economy. Also Japan suffered defeat in WWII, but was in excellent condition thanks to help from the Allies (Most notably the US)

Now we will tell you the story of Onoda's 30 year war.

In 1938, he worked in a trading company in China.

Onoda was no ordinary soldier, He was selected among many soldiers to study in Nakano School. Onoda studied philosophy, history, martial arts, and propaganda along with his guerrilla and intelligence training. Onoda is a 2nd Lieutenant by the time the war is over.

In 1944, Americans land on Lubang. Many Japanese soldiers either surrendered or committed suicide. By January 1946, there were 4 hold outs still alive on the island (Including Onoda)

Onoda at this time did not know the war was over and was still carrying out his last order:
"Hamper enemy attack and activity, gather intelligence, and use guerrilla warfare, it may take 1 year or 3 years, but we will come back for you" Onoda did not know it but Japan would come back 30 years in the future.

Living like hermits out in a Jungle in the Philippines is not easy.

Onoda and his companions ate a diet mainly of bananas, but they proffered beef.

They occasionally killed islander's cattle for a taste of beef.

They would steal various items from islanders, which included a radio (when hearing about national relationships after the war was over they ignored it, but were smart enough to know that Japan had become an industrial power)

They also fished for food.

Yuchi Akatsu, a private got fed up with holding out and stormed off on to survive his own. Onoda and the others laughed and thought he would never survive on his own. Yuchi left them a note saying that he was received by friendly troops when he surrendered and even joined a group to find other holdouts.

Onoda and the others dismissed this and assumed Yuchi sided with the enemy.

Now there were dozens of search parties on the holdouts. Helicopters rained leaflets saying the war was over. Onoda's relatives even came and trying to convince Onoda to surrender via microphone.

Onoda and the others were fishing by the river when two hunters attacked them. Corporal Shimada was shot in the leg, but the others nursed him back to health and he recovered. He was later killed by a search party.

Onoda was now left along with Kinshichi Kozuka, and they were the only holdouts left. Onoda and Kozuka were burning rice (hence the background) while carrying forth guerrilla tactics, still trying to carry on their last order. They burned one too many. The local police caught on and shot Kozuka twice, once in the heart, killing him instantly.

Onoda fled and managed to live 2 more years in the jungle.

Onoda was finally discovered by Norio Suzuki (A Japanese dropout who traveled the world as an explorer). He wanted to find Onoda, a panda, and the Abominable Snowman. He succeeded in finding Onoda (He did not get to find a panda, but died in an avalanche trying to find the yeti). Onoda was ready to shoot Suzuki, but Suzuki struck a conversation with him and became friends. Onoda mentioned he could not surrender without an order to do so, when Suzuki asked him. Suzuki went to find Onoda's former commander and promised to return. The following year, Major Tanigushi (now a bookseller) ordered Onoda to surrender. In March 9, 1974, Onodda was the last Japanese soldier to surrender after 1945.