Certain incidents were singled out for their symbolism. It was reported, for example, that surviving members of the virtually deified Tokkōtai—the “special forces” who flew suicide missions in the final stages of the war, and were better known in the West as kamikaze pilots—were turning to strong-arm robbery. The phrase Tokkōtai kuzure, literally “degenerate Tokkōtai,” suggestive of a thoroughly destructive fusion of drinking, womanizing, and criminal activity, came into vogue. Here was a world turned upside down.41
