Summary of "9 طلاب يختطفون طائرة يابانية بسيوف الساموراي (والسبب غريب جدًا)"
In March 1970, a group of nine young Japanese students hijacked a Japan Airlines flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka using samurai swords and other weapons. The hijackers, aged between 16 and 27, were motivated by communist ideals and aimed to reach Cuba for military training to support a revolution in Japan. They practiced their plan at Tokyo University without knowing each other's real names, using nicknames instead.
After taking control of the plane, they demanded to fly to Cuba, but the pilot explained that the aircraft lacked the fuel for such a long journey. The hijackers then opted to redirect the flight to North Korea, which they believed would support their cause. Upon landing at Fukuoka for refueling, negotiations ensued between the hijackers and Japanese authorities, led by Deputy Minister of Transport Shinji Yamamura.
The situation escalated over three days, during which the hijackers released some passengers but held others hostage. Ultimately, a deal was struck where all remaining passengers would be released in exchange for the deputy minister, who volunteered for the role to save the hostages.
The hijackers believed they had landed in North Korea but were actually at a South Korean airport. The South Korean authorities had prepared a ruse to prevent the hijackers from reaching North Korea. After being tricked, the hijackers were eventually welcomed by North Korean officials, who used them for propaganda purposes.
The nine students were provided with a comfortable life in North Korea, living in a designated area called "Little Japan." Over the years, some of them married Japanese women who had mysteriously disappeared and were brought to North Korea. While two of the hijackers returned to Japan and were arrested, seven remained in North Korea, where they lived under strict control.
The story reflects the complexities of political ideologies during the Cold War and the lengths to which individuals would go for their beliefs. The deputy minister, once viewed as a hero for his role in the crisis, faced a tragic end years later when he was killed by his mentally ill daughter.
Presenters/Contributors:
Category
News and Commentary
