How did Japanese prison camp guards end up surrendering to the POWs they were guarding, and what fears drove them to do this?

The most startling aspect of the end of the war in the Pacific was the speed with which the guards grew fearful.

The Japanese prison guards exercised the power of kings over the camps for years. They beat prisoners, insulted them and used fear to control everybody. One of the worst was Mutsuhiro Watanabe, “The Bird.” He thought himself to be superior to the prisoners and felt that no one could deter him.

Credit:warfarehistorynetwork

Soon the Emperor declared Japan's surrender.

Suddenly, everything had changed.

Watanabe failed to demonstrate what he spoke of in terms of honor. He stripped down his uniform, walked out of the camp and ran into the mountains. The man who had terrified prisoners was now hiding in the woods, scared Allied soldiers would find him.

Then, he went back to Tokyo and became an insurance salesman. For years he lived as a man, but he couldn't reveal his past. He was aware that someone may have seen him and out him.

His story is a sad reality. Some men are only brave because they have a system to protect them, power, and weapons. Remove them and they are weak and afraid.

The uniform made him strong. If he didn't, he was simply a scared man fleeing the repercussions.