Takeo Yoshikawa

Quick Facts: Who was Takeo Yoshikawa?

Subject:

Takeo Yoshikawa

Known for:

Japanese naval officer and intelligence agent, infamous for his espionage activities in Hawaii.

Born:

1914-03-07

Died:

1993-02-20

Century / Era:

1914s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Takeo Yoshikawa (吉川 猛夫, Yoshikawa Takeo; March 7, 1912 – February 20, 1993) was a Japanese spy in Hawaii before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. A 1933 graduate of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima (graduating 92nd out of 116 cadets), Yoshikawa served briefly at sea aboard the armored cruiser Asama as well as submarines. He had begun training as a naval pilot near the end of 1934 when a severe stomach ailment prevented his completing his training. He was subsequently discharged from the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1936. As a result, he briefly contemplated suicide.

Career & Major Achievements

A year later he began a career in Naval intelligence, being assigned to Navy Headquarters in Tokyo. He became an expert regarding the U.S. Navy, perusing every source he could possibly get his hands on. While on intelligence duty he intercepted a shortwave radio message in plain English that 17 troop transports were en route to England, having cleared the port of Freetown, Sierra Leone. He passed this information to the German Embassy, and many of the ships were destroyed as a result. Yoshikawa subsequently received a personal letter of thanks from Adolf Hitler.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1940 he became a junior diplomat after passing the Foreign Ministry English examinations. Because of his expertise on the U.S. Navy, Yoshikawa was sent to Hawaii posing as a vice-consul named Tadashi Morimura (森村 正 Morimura Tadashi), arriving on March 27, 1941, with Nagao Kita (喜多 長雄 Kita Nagao), the new Japanese Consul-General, aboard the liner Nitta Maru. He rented a second-story apartment that overlooked Pearl Harbor and would often wander around the island of Oahu, taking notes on fleet movements and security measures. He rented small airplanes at John Rodgers Airport and flew around, observing U.S. installations; he also dove under the harbor using a hollow reed as a breathing device. He gathered information by taking the Navy's own harbor tugboat and listening to local gossip.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1912: 1912 Milestone — Takeo Yoshikawa (吉川 猛夫, Yoshikawa Takeo; March 7, 1912 – February 20, 1993) was a Japanese spy in Hawaii before the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
2. 1914 (1914-03-07): Birth of Takeo Yoshikawa — Japanese naval officer and intelligence agent, infamous for his espionage activities in Hawaii.
3. 1933: 1933 Milestone — A 1933 graduate of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima (graduating 92nd out of 116 cadets), Yoshikawa served briefly at sea aboard the armored cruiser Asama as well as submarines.
4. 1934: 1934 Milestone — He had begun training as a naval pilot near the end of 1934 when a severe stomach ailment prevented his completing his training.
5. 1936: 1936 Milestone — He was subsequently discharged from the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1936.
6. 1940: 1940 Milestone — In 1940 he became a junior diplomat after passing the Foreign Ministry English examinations.
7. 1941: 1941 Milestone — Navy, Yoshikawa was sent to Hawaii posing as a vice-consul named Tadashi Morimura (森村 正 Morimura Tadashi), arriving on March 27, 1941, with Nagao Kita (喜多 長雄 Kita Nagao), the new Japanese Consul-General, aboard the liner Nitta Maru.
8. 1993 (1993-02-20): Passing & Historical Legacy — Takeo Yoshikawa passed away on 1993-02-20, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Takeo Yoshikawa

“My wife alone shows me great respect. Every day she bows to me. She knows I am a man of history.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Takeo Yoshikawa

True or False: “Takeo Yoshikawa was able to successfully pass intelligence reports regarding Pearl Harbor's layout because the Allied codebreakers were unable to decrypt the messages sent from Tokyo.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The message containing the crucial details about dividing Pearl Harbor into five zones was intercepted and decrypted by Allied codebreakers, but it was delayed in distribution.

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• 1914 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1914
• March 7 (03-07) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 7
• 1993 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1993
• February 20 (02-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 20

Frequently Asked Questions about Takeo Yoshikawa