TheYokusan Sonendan (大日本翼賛壮年団,Imperial Rule Assistance Young Men's Corps) was an eliteparamilitary youth branch of theImperial Rule Assistance Associationpolitical party of wartimeEmpire of Japan established in January 1942, and based on the model of theGermanSturmabteilung (stormtroopers; SA).[1]
Members received a deeppolitical indoctrination and basicmilitary training. Their responsibilities included forming part of thehome guard to assist in matters ofcivil defense under the direction of official local authorities. They were issued mostly obsolete weapons provided to the organization under orders from their Director-GeneralKingoro Hashimoto,[1] and were expected to assist local firefighting efforts followingair raids, distribute emergency supplies and render basicfirst aid. The most advanced pupils were earmarked for eventual enrollment in theImperial Japanese Army Academy, or for a future role as elected local politicians within theTaisei Yokusankai organization.[2]
In addition to its civil defence and paramilitary role, the Yokusan Sonendan was also tasked with assisting localtonarigumi neighborhood civil defense organizations and theKenpeitai military police by watching for signs of subversives in their area and reporting any anti-war or anti-government activities.
In the last stages ofWorld War II, members received additional military training in the use ofanti-tank weapons and lightmachine guns, for transfer intoreserve combat units to support Japan's remaining troops against theexpected Allied invasion of theJapanese home islands. The group suffered heavy combat casualties during theBattle of Okinawa. The Yokusan Sonendan was disbanded on 30 May 1945[1] and its membership merged into theVolunteer Fighting Corps.[3]
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