#371: 9 University Students Hijack A Japanese Plane to North Korea
2Digest
This episode concludes with a discussion about the fates of the hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351. Yoshimi Tanaka, one of the hijackers, was arrested in Thailand for distributing counterfeit US currency and died in prison in Japan in 2007. Takashi Okamado is suspected to be dead, having attempted to flee North Korea on a boat. Kin Taro Yoshida is also suspected to have died in a prison camp after denying the teachings of North Korea. The author of the book the podcast is based on interviewed the hijackers during multiple visits to North Korea, suggesting that the North Korean government may have orchestrated the interviews to portray a positive image of the country. Tamia Takamaro, the leader of the group, died from a mysterious illness in North Korea. Yoshiro Shibata, the youngest member of the group, was arrested in Japan for forging a passport and died in 2011. Takahira Kunishi is still living in North Korea and is internationally wanted, allegedly taking over as the leader of the group. Abe Kimihiro is also still in North Korea and is wanted by Interpol for kidnapping Japanese people. Wakabayashi Moriyaki and Shira Akagi also live in North Korea. The wives of the hijackers are facing 10 months in prison upon their return to Japan, while the husbands will likely face more than 10 years in prison. All of the children of the hijackers have returned to Japan. The episode concludes with a discussion about the irony of the hijackers' situation, as they are living the lives of the wealthy elite in North Korea despite their initial belief in a classless society. The podcasters express their disbelief and wonder at the hijackers' choices and the complex and often tragic consequences of their actions.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the story of a fascinating little town called Little Japan, a gated community in North Korea, where nine families live in luxury and are served by a dedicated staff. The residents are not Japanese or North Korean royalty, but rather hijackers who flew a plane into North Korea and became the Kim family's secret weapon.
The Hijacking
This Chapter details the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 by nine Japanese university students. The hijackers, who had no prior knowledge of each other's real names or ages, practiced hijacking techniques in a classroom at Tokyo University. They planned to fly to Cuba for military training, but the captain informed them that the plane's range was insufficient and they would need to make multiple stops for refueling. The hijackers, determined to reach their destination, threatened to detonate explosives if the plane was not flown to Pyongyang, North Korea.
The Fake Landing
This Chapter describes the hijackers' landing in Fukuoka, Japan, for refueling. The authorities, aware of the hijackers' intentions, collaborated to create a fake landing at Kimpo Airport in Seoul, South Korea, making it appear as a North Korean airport. The hijackers, believing they had reached North Korea, were then flown to a small landing strip near Pyongyang.
Arrival in North Korea
This Chapter details the hijackers' arrival in North Korea. They were initially treated as heroes, but their lives took a dramatic turn. They were subjected to intense indoctrination sessions, their revolutionary goals shifted from Japan to supporting Kim Il-sung's vision of world domination, and they were forced to marry Japanese women who had been kidnapped by North Korean operatives.
The Hostage Negotiations
This Chapter focuses on the negotiations between the Japanese, South Korean, and US authorities to secure the release of the hostages. The hijackers, determined to reach North Korea, refused to cooperate with the authorities. The negotiations were tense and complex, with each country having its own interests and concerns. The authorities ultimately decided to exchange the Vice Minister of Transport for the hijackers, allowing the hostages to be released.
The Hijackers' Motives
This Chapter explores the hijackers' motives and their connection to the Red Army, a militant sub-faction of the Communist League in Japan. The Red Army's goals were to overthrow the Japanese government, incite a communist revolution in Japan, and contribute to a global communist revolution. They were known for their violent tactics, including bank robberies, attacks on police stations, and hostage-taking.
Life in North Korea
This Chapter describes the hijackers' life in North Korea. They were initially treated well, but their lives became increasingly controlled. They were subjected to brainwashing sessions, their revolutionary goals were reprogrammed, and they were forced to marry Japanese women. The hijackers were then used as North Korean operatives, spreading propaganda and carrying out missions around the world.
The Hijackers' Fate
This Chapter explores the hijackers' fate after their arrival in North Korea. It is speculated that they were assigned different roles, with one being arrested for spreading counterfeit US currency. The hijackers and their wives were allegedly involved in kidnapping Japanese nationals in Europe, turning them into North Korean operatives. The episode concludes with the hijackers' request to return to Japan and the uncertain future that awaits them.
The Hijackers' Fates
This Chapter discusses the fates of the hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351. Some have died, some are still living in North Korea, and some have returned to Japan. The episode highlights the complex and often tragic consequences of their actions.
Keywords
Japan Airlines Flight 351
Japan Airlines Flight 351 was a commercial flight that was hijacked by nine Japanese university students in 1970. The hijacking lasted for 83 hours and involved a series of complex negotiations between the Japanese, South Korean, and US authorities. The hijackers, initially aiming for Cuba, ended up in North Korea after a series of unexpected events.
Red Army
The Red Army was a militant sub-faction of the Communist League in Japan. They were known for their violent tactics, including bank robberies, attacks on police stations, and hostage-taking. The hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 were members of the Red Army.
Kim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was the founder and first Supreme Leader of North Korea. He ruled the country from 1948 until his death in 1994. The hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 were eventually used as Kim Il-sung's secret weapon, spreading propaganda and carrying out missions around the world.
North Korea
North Korea is a country in East Asia. It is known for its authoritarian government, its nuclear weapons program, and its human rights abuses. The hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 ended up in North Korea after a series of unexpected events. They were eventually used as North Korean operatives, spreading propaganda and carrying out missions around the world.
Cuba
Cuba is a country in the Caribbean. It is known for its communist government, its beautiful beaches, and its rich culture. The hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 initially planned to fly to Cuba for military training.
Hostage Negotiation
Hostage negotiation is the process of communicating with hostage-takers in order to secure the release of hostages. The hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 involved complex hostage negotiations between the Japanese, South Korean, and US authorities.
Counterfeit Currency
Counterfeit currency is fake money that is made to look like real money. North Korea is alleged to be the biggest counterfeiter of US currency. One of the hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 was arrested for spreading counterfeit US currency in Southeast Asia.
Operation Marriage
Operation Marriage was a secret operation allegedly conducted by North Korea, where Japanese women were kidnapped and forced to marry the hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351. The operation was designed to keep the hijackers in North Korea and to use them as operatives.
Little Japan
Little Japan was a gated compound in North Korea where the hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 were allowed to live with their wives and children. The compound was later renamed the Village of Revolution.
Propaganda
Propaganda is information that is used to promote a particular political cause or point of view. The hijackers of Japan Airlines Flight 351 were used by North Korea to spread propaganda around the world.
Q&A
What were the hijackers' initial goals?
The hijackers, members of the Red Army, aimed to fly to Cuba for military training to further their communist revolution in Japan and contribute to a global communist revolution.
How did the hijackers end up in North Korea?
Their initial plan to fly to Cuba was thwarted by the plane's limited range, forcing them to land in Fukuoka for refueling. Authorities then orchestrated a fake landing in South Korea, making it appear as a North Korean airport, and ultimately flew them to a landing strip near Pyongyang.
What happened to the hijackers after they landed in North Korea?
They were initially treated as heroes, but their lives took a dramatic turn. They were subjected to intense indoctrination sessions, their revolutionary goals shifted to supporting Kim Il-sung's vision of world domination, and they were forced to marry Japanese women who had been kidnapped by North Korean operatives.
How did the authorities manage to secure the release of the hostages?
After a tense 50-hour standoff, the authorities agreed to exchange the Vice Minister of Transport for the hijackers, allowing the hostages to be released.
What is the significance of the hijackers' actions?
The hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 was a significant event that highlighted the complexities of international relations, the dangers of radical ideologies, and the lengths to which governments will go to protect their citizens.
What is the current status of the hijackers?
Some of the hijackers are still alive and living in North Korea. The Japanese government has been trying to extradite them, but North Korea has refused.
What is the alleged role of the hijackers in North Korea?
It is speculated that the hijackers were used as North Korean operatives, spreading propaganda and carrying out missions around the world. One hijacker was arrested for spreading counterfeit US currency in Southeast Asia.
What is the significance of the hijackers' forced marriages?
The forced marriages were a key part of North Korea's plan to keep the hijackers in the country and to use them as operatives. The wives, who were kidnapped from Japan, were also used as operatives, traveling to Europe with North Korean diplomat passports.
What is the future of the hijackers?
The future of the hijackers remains uncertain. They have requested permission to return to Japan, but North Korea has not yet granted their request. The hijackers' fate is intertwined with the complex political relationship between Japan and North Korea.
What is the lasting impact of the hijacking?
The hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 had a lasting impact on the lives of the hostages, the hijackers, and the involved countries. It highlighted the dangers of radical ideologies, the complexities of international relations, and the lengths to which governments will go to protect their citizens.
Show Notes
There’s this fascinating little town called ‘Little Japan.’ It’s a gated community with cookie-cutter houses, though they boast beautiful chandeliers and heated floors, and all of them have a matching set of priceless portraits hanging on their walls.
The residents are nine Japanese families, hence the name, and they have their own private chefs, maids, even chauffeurs in black Mercedes. A small movie theater, a massive sauna house, and a grocery store where they never have to pay. The catch? If they ever want to leave the community ‘gates,’ they must ask for permission from the Supreme Leader… The town itself is not even an hour outside of North Korea’s capital.
The families themselves are neither Japanese nor North Korean royalty, nor are they diplomats or even government officials either.
They’re a gang of hijackers. Hijackers who stole a plane and flew it into North Korea—and now the distinguished guests of the Kim regime were to become his secret weapon.
Full Source Notes: rottenmangopodcast.com
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