For This Imperial Japanese Soldier, World War II Didn't End Until 1974
Remarkably, Onoda was not the last Japanese soldier to come in from World War II.
by Warfare History Network
Masashi and Minakawa Both Fully Expected to be Executed
Slowly, the Japanese holdouts in the Pacific either died in their misery or came out of hiding to surrender. One day in May 1960, Masashi and his friend were hunting wild boar when they became separated. Minakawa did not return. After a while, Masashi was frantic with concern.
Two days later, Minakawa showed up. He had changed. He was clean, shaved, and had on new clothing. American soldiers and a Japanese interpreter accompanied him. At that point, Masashi gave up too. He was taken to an American military facility where he enjoyed his first hot shower in 16 years. Layers of caked-on dirt sloughed off him as he luxuriated in the steam.
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/imperial-japanese-soldier-world-war-ii-didnt-end-until-1974-109831?page=0%2C2
