Japan's Secret War: Japan's Race Against Time to Build Its Own Atomic Bomb

by Wilcox

After years of research based on material gathered by American intelligence during the occupation of Japan as well as extensive interviews with surviving participants, Robert Wilcox gives the first detailed account of Japan's version of the Manhattan Project - from its earliest days to the possible testing of an actual weapon. The story involves Japan's leading scientists, including a future Nobel prize winner; a network of Spanish spies working in North America; and a German U-boat desperately trying to reach Japan with a cargo of uranium in the final days before the Third Reich's collapse. But perhaps the most fascinating element is the giant industrial complex in northern Korea where the final aspects of the Japanese atomic research may have taken place. When the Soviet army invaded Korea at the war's end, they had the entire complex dismantled and shipped back to the Soviet Union. We can only speculate about the information they gained from it. This new edition includes recently unearthed research showing that the Japanese spent much more time on their atomic program than previously made public.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Japan, Military Fiction, Science, Japanese Literature

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did a secret Japanese research program during World War II construct its own atomic weapon, which was actually tested in North Korea a day or two after Nagasaki and then captured by the invading Russians?

The answer, I'm afraid, is probably "no", but the author has discovered a remarkable story. I was left in no doubt that a Japanese version of the Manhattan Project did exist. It's rather moving in a strange way, and I was reminded several times of Das Boot. Just as with the movie, where after a while you realise you're identifying with the crew of the U-boat and cheering them on as they sink Allied convoy ships, I found myself hoping that Professor Nishina and his team would somehow succeed.

They had some real stars on their side: Yukawa, who got a Nobel Prize for discovering the meson, and Tomonaga, who later made major contributions to quantum electrodynamics and helped work out the renormalisation method. Nishina himself comes across as a great man, who just happened to end up fighting on the wrong side. But they never received enough funding, and they couldn't get their hands on sufficient quantities of uranium, despite valiant efforts. Also, they chose the wrong method for trying to separate out U-235 from U-238. Thermal diffusion didn't turn out to work, though everyone would have called it a stroke of genius if it had. They did eventually start building large centrifuges, but then the firebombing started and it was too late.

In the parallel universe described in Man In The High Castle, I wonder if Kawabata writes a novel about this project instead of The Master of Go? I'm trying to imagine the plot. I think Nishina, who died of cancer a few years after the end of the war, is the figure corresponding to the Master; Arakatsu, his shadowy and apparently rather more pragmatic rival in the parallel Navy-run project, is Otake. There's a subplot in Wilcox's book about a Spanish spy ring in the US who unsuccessfully try to penetrate the American nuclear program; here, I'm guessing that they succeed, and Arakatsu is able to use their stolen knowledge to win the race.

I've already half-convinced myself that the book exists. Perhaps I will get some yarrow stalks and see if I can cross over the other side for long enough to locate a copy.

[Bob Mayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book many years ago in the library at Fort Campbell, KY. I was impressed with the research and also the facts: the Germans did ship their uranium to Japan near the end of the war; the Russians did rush into Manchuria; Unit 731 did exist; and more.

I actually then wrote a thriller based on this story, The Gate, with the premise being that the Japanese succeeded in their program, and developed two atomic weapons. One which they detonated to cover their tracks (and also lured the Russians into Manchuria) and the second which they send on a sub to the place the first meeting of the United Nations was held: San Francisco. And there the bomb still sits so many years later and the race is on.

This is part of writing what I call "factual fiction". Take a group of facts, add a fictional premise, and you can come up with some pretty amazing stuff.

There's still a lot we don't know about World War II and a lot we never know. I do believe the horror of Unit 731 is one of the least publicized aspects of the war in the Pacific.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japan's Secret War by Robert Wilcox has been on my reading list for a few years, finally making it to the top. To create this work, Robert spent years researching Japan’s atomic program, which proved to be a super arduous task for many reasons. Language, secret documents, the fog of war, and culture hampered his progress.
It turns out that Japan had not one but many well-funded atomic programs. The scientists running the programs were dedicated individuals with great intelligence and drive. Despite wartime shortages, they made excellent progress.
Robert divided this book into three parts. The first is about the epic struggle to create this book. The second part discussed what he learned, which resulted in an excellent historical record that had some gaps. We lost many key documents to history; people had passed away, and the government-held documents in secret. However, the last part of this book came out as a second edition. New documents and witnesses came forth to fill in the gaps. This part of the book was the most fascinating because it revealed the reactor and test device.
Unfortunately, this section was also the shortest part of the book. I would have liked to have learned more about this subject. Specifically, I wanted all the details about the test device. Unfortunately, Robert was at a loss and presented all the information he could locate.
Japan indeed had a fantastic atomic program that scientists could be proud of. This was a fascinating slice of history that deserves additional research. I am glad I read this book, but I wish Robert had located more information

[Cary Kostka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting look into the inner workings of Japan's pursuit of nuclear weapons during WWII. The author's tremendous research efforts were rewarded with concise tales of espionage, the outside assistance the Japanese received to drive their efforts forward, and the chilling realization of how close they came to success.

[CASPER HILEMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Japanese Atomic Program in The Second World War. Did they have one? The answer seems to be yes. Was it able to produce a nuclear weapon before the Allies, history tells us no. What happened with the material? Read this to find out.

[Keithie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilcox (the author) did a ton of research for this book. Japan didn’t surrender right away because they were working on making some secret weapons. Did they have an atomic bomb? I’ve ordered a newer edition of this book to see about newly released government documents. Get the newer edition.

Just finished reading the 2019(?) version. Way better. The important thing is about how Japanese atomic bomb developments during WWII helped Russia and North Korea get nukes. That is still covered up by our government.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asian Times called it a "blockbuster". https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/12/art... The history of WWII is going to have to be rewritten. The Japanese got very close to having an atomic bomb, a fact that is little known and amply demonstrated in this greatly enlarged and newly-sourced edition of this previous book. I've added sources to all information. US Department of Defense researchers holding Top Secret clearances helped me with this book. Their story is in it. They contacted me because they had been using previous editions to dig out information about North Korea's nuclear program. This is the definitive book about Japan's World War II atomic bomb project. The Japanese may even have tested a nuclear device, but too late. At the end of the war, the Russians invaded their secret plants in northern Korea and looted the plants. The Soviets were then the next big power to have the "bomb." What they got from the Japanese project helped them get that distinction. It's a powerful story of how a nation, smaller than the U.S., could do it. This story has long been secret - too long.

[Guy Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I never knew how far along Japan was in the race to develop a nuclear weapon during World War II. My brother recommended this book and it was definitely worth reading. It's this type of history that I love reading

[Robert]

Worked two years on this. Added much new information and footnoted all. It's going to change nuclear history.