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Strain of War-Induced Trauma Alters Loving Father into Near Stranger After Eight Decades

Wartime Legacies: Psychological Remnants Persist Eight Decades After Tokyo's War Conclusion

Struggles with War Trauma Turns Devoted Father into a Stranger After Eight Decades
Struggles with War Trauma Turns Devoted Father into a Stranger After Eight Decades

Strain of War-Induced Trauma Alters Loving Father into Near Stranger After Eight Decades

Eighty years after the end of World War II, renewed attention is being given to the psychological scars of former Imperial Japanese servicemen and their families. The long-term psychological effects of the war on these veterans have been significant, with many developing persistent post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related war trauma conditions that have profoundly affected their emotional state and behavior over decades.

One poignant example is the story of Keijiro Kuroi, a former army soldier who passed away in 1990 at the age of 77. His family described him as lethargic and like an "empty shell" due to the effects of war trauma. Akio Kuroi, his son, recalls the enduring impact military service had on his father.

The psychological issues faced by former servicemen are receiving renewed attention, and this has prompted the Japanese government to undertake its first-ever survey to understand the realities faced by veterans' families. The survey aims to address the impact of war trauma, not just on the individuals themselves, but also on their families.

A growing number of family members of former Japanese servicemen are sharing their experiences, shedding light on the ongoing impact of war trauma on the lives and families of these veterans. These accounts highlight the need for society and the government to recognise and investigate these effects to address the needs of both veterans and their families.

The results of the survey are expected to be released within the current fiscal year to March 2026. The insights gained from this survey could provide valuable information about the long-term effects of war trauma on families, offering a chance to better understand and support those affected.

This survey is a significant step in addressing the psychological issues faced by the families of former Japanese servicemen. It underscores the enduring legacy of World War II in Japan and the continuing need to address the psychological trauma tied to these experiences.

It's important to note that the effects of war trauma are not limited to the individual, but can also impact their families. In some cases, veterans have become emotionally distant or "empty shell" figures, significantly impacting their families. This survey represents a crucial step towards understanding and addressing these complex issues.

Survivors of the atomic bombings (hibakusha) and their families also face lifelong psychological scars in addition to physical health complications. While this source focuses on traditional front-line veterans, it highlights the enduring psychological trauma tied to World War II experiences in Japan.

In conclusion, the psychological legacy of World War II veterans in Japan is marked by long-standing PTSD-related symptoms, altering veterans' personalities and impairing family relationships. Japanese society and government are increasingly recognising and investigating these effects to address the needs of both veterans and their families.

  1. The Japanese government is conducting its first survey to understand the realities faced by veterans' families, focusing on the impact of war trauma on both individuals and their families.
  2. Many family members of former Japanese servicemen are sharing their experiences, shedding light on the ongoing impact of war trauma on the lives and families of these veterans.
  3. Survivors of the atomic bombings (hibakusha) and their families also face lifelong psychological scars, adding to the enduring psychological trauma tied to World War II experiences in Japan.
  4. This survey is a significant step in addressing the psychological issues faced by the families of former Japanese servicemen, and could provide valuable information about the long-term effects of war trauma on families, offering a chance to better understand and support those affected.

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