Exhibit Spotlight: The Unknown Japanese Scout

Picture of the Memorial of Bougainville Island located in Yokohama, Japan’s Kodomonokuni Children Park, located here: https://goo.gl/maps/d9C4Rr5r6fRuSyYj9

Written and Researched by Museum Curator Alexander Bennett

When we reflect on the legacy of World War II (WWII), most people focus on the worst aspects of the conflict that split the world into two opposing sides. The Allies and Axis powers had divided the world’s governments and citizens, pitting them against each other, but this was not a future that Baden-Powell had envisaged when he began spreading his Scouting program around the world. His goal was to prepare men and later women for service to their country while also developing skills to reduce future conflicts by promoting the ideals of harmony and diplomacy over warfare. The birth of this change from Combat to Character started when BP adapted his military manual Scouting for N.C.O. and Men into Scouting for Boys, shifting from militaristic drill to themes like responsible citizenship, physical health, and moral character.

In Kodomo-no-Kuni (Children’s) Park in Yokohama, Japan, stands a memorial that tells the story of a chance meeting between two Scouts on opposing sides during wartime. During World War II, on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific, an American soldier lay wounded on the beach. His left leg was seriously injured, and he was unable to walk, so he lay on the beach waiting to be found. After a long time, he heard someone approaching. When he opened his eyes, he saw a Japanese Soldier standing over him with a bayonet attached to his rifle. His first thought was that the Japanese Soldier would kill him, and he fainted.

Later, to the surprise of the American Soldier, he woke up lying on the same beach with his left leg bandaged. Beside him on the beach lies a note, written in Japanese, which he puts in his pocket for later since he could not read it. He prayed for a rescue and continued the long wait; at least now his wound was bandaged. Later, fellow Marines would find the wounded soldier and would evacuate him to a field hospital. Once in the field hospital, the American soldier found that the physician treating him could read Japanese, so the soldier showed him the note. The unsigned note contained a message from the Japanese soldier, which read:

“When I was about to kill you, you made the three-fingered Scout salute. I, too, am a Scout. A Scout is a brother to every other Scout so I could not kill you. I gave you first aid instead. Good luck!”

After the war, the American soldier and his father were said to have visited the Boy Scout Headquarters and told the story to the Chief Scout Executive Arthur Schuck. They were also said to have donated money for a memorial (or for the Scouting movement). One important detail is that the American Scout Soldier asked that their names not be revealed unless the Japanese Scout Soldier was identified. Sometime after 1953, the Chief Scout Executive of Japan finally heard the story, either from an American visiting Japan or from Arthur Schuck himself on his way back to Japan from Lichentstien. The donated money was given to the Chief Scout Executive of Japan, and the story stuck with him. The Chief Scout Executive of Japan was Hidesaburō Kurushima, who would go on to tell this story to many Japanese Scouts and visitors. Ultimately, the Japanese Scouts were so moved by the story that they began the 10 Yen Campaign to fund the memorial.

In 1956, the Bronze Memorial(known as a boss relief) was completed by the sculptor Yokoe Yoshizumi, but we are unsure if the memorial was located in Tokyo or stored until its final home opened in 1964, and the memorial was opened in 1965. In addition to the boss relief of the two soldiers, the 10 Yen Campaign funded a Scout with a Tokyo community strip, along with the Second Class Rank patch and a plaque that tells the story. The Scout proudly salutes the two Scout Soldiers as he guards the memorial.

In 2006, the Japanese Scout Soldier was identified as Lieutenant Imada. The name of the American Soldier is still unknown, but it is believed that the Scout was from Salt Lake City, Utah. Be sure to read more below and do some research about this interesting Scouting tale! If you have any info or sources, please reach out to the World Scouting Museum so we can add them to this collection of the legend! This story of the Unknown Japanese and American Scout Soldiers was retold in both Boy’s Life and Scouting Magazine, published by Scouting America (then the Boy Scouts of America) in the late 1950s. Further down this page, you will be able to read both articles and view the accompanying photos. Each story is a bit different, but has the same throughlines. Be sure to check out some of the sources at the bottom as well and check out the video on this subject from the National Scouting Museum.

A Bit about the Japanese Scouting Movement

Scouting was introduced in Japan in the Fall of 1909 with small Scouting Troops formed throughout the country, but it wasn’t until 1921 that the Nippon Kenjidan, a precursor of the Boy Scouts of Japan, was founded. In April 1922, the organization restructured and merged with other Scouting groups, reforming as the Boy Scouts of Japan along with admittance into the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). In 1971, the organization would be renamed to the Boy Scouts of Nippon. It would keep that name until 1995, when it would rebrand to the Scout Association of Japan, along with becoming coeducational in all sections (allowing girl members in addition to boy members). The history of the Japanese Scouting Movement is very interesting, especially after WWII, but that’s more to cover in the future.

The Memorial’s first home? (Potentially) Tokyo- Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Tokyo Park/Yoyogi Park

The memorial has been claimed to be located in Tokyo before its placement in Yokohama. The memorial has a date of 1956 on it, but the park in Yokohama did not open until 1964, so it was thought that the memorial may have been moved from Tokyo to Yokohama. There is no record of the memorial being placed in Tokyo that we can find, but it has been claimed to have been moved from that area. The park where it was potentially held was at that time known as the Meiji-Jingu Shrine. Later, the Chief Scout Executive of Japan would host American Explorers in the park and tell them the story of the Unknown Japanese Soldier. We are unsure if that is where the confusion of the memorial moving from Tokyo comes from, but we have not found any records of the memorial being anywhere specific in Tokyo, Japan, or any Scouting events to commemorate the opening of the memorial like those held in 1965. The Sculptor of the memorial was Yoshizumi Yokoe.

The History and Birth of Kodomo-no-Kuni Children’s Park or Children’s Land

Originally, the home of the Imperial Japanese Army’s Tana Munitions Depot. During World War II, it expanded into the largest munitions storage and manufacturing facility in Japan. It employed over 3,000 workers, including mobilized students, and was reported to hold between 150,000 and 200,000 tons of munitions by the war’s end. The site was serviced by the Nagatsuta-Tana rail line, which was used to transport heavy artillery shells and military supplies. The site was confiscated by the United States military following Japan’s surrender, eventually being returned to the city of Yokohama in May 1961. The historical footprint of the depot is now completely repurposed. The former ammunition storage grounds were transformed into the Kodomonokuni (Children’s Land) amusement park and recreational space. The railway originally built to supply munitions is now the Kodomonokuni Line commuter train, transporting visitors to the park. The park was inaugurated on Children’s Day in 1965. The original master planning and early architectural features were led by pioneers of the Metabolist architectural movement (including Kenzo Tange’s associates). It also famously featured the very first playscapes and playgrounds designed by renowned artist Isamu Noguchi, along with the Unknown Japanese Scout Memorial. The park sits on 240 acres of land and was founded in commemoration of the Royal Marriage of Prince Akihito and Princess Michiko in 1959 (who reigned as Emperor and Empress from 1989 to 2019). Funding for the park was donated by the Japanese public to honor this royal union.

A Chance Meeting of Scouts and the 10 Yen Campaign

In March 1961, Hidesaburō Kurushima reached out to Lt. Gen. Robert W. Burns, Commander of the US 5th Air Force, to ask for his help. Burns responded that the issue was being addressed by the US-JAPAN Joint Committee Facilities Sub-Committee, but the conversation soon turned to Scouting. Both men realized they had both attended the 1953 National Scout Jamboree in California. It was this Scouting connection that would ultimately ensure the return of the land to the Japanese for the sprawling Children’s Park. Once the meeting had ended, both men gave each other the Scout salute and departed.

While the park would not open until 1965, it would begin to take shape the same year the Kurushima became President of the Boy Scouts of Japan in 1954. It was soon after that Kurushima would launch the 10 Yen Donation Campaign, eventually raising 200,000 yen (10 yen=$0.03 | 200,000 yen=$555.00 in 1954 | $8,500 in 2024). The money that was raised from the 10 Yen Campaign would go on to fund the costs of the Unknown Soldier Memorial in the park.

Once the land for the park had been returned from the US Military to the Japanese, the campaign would end soon after the memorial was placed in the park, along with many other outdoor and children-focused activities. In the late 1950s, Kurushima would commission Sculptor Yokoe Yoshizumi to design the memorial, including the Japanese Boy Scout giving the three-fingered Scout salute, along with a boss relief and the plaque, which summarizes the story for visitors to the memorial. The memorial was revealed on May 5, 1966, one year after the park had opened. There were more than 2,500 Japanese and American Scouts in attendance for the opening ceremony. You can learn more about this story and see larger photos of the boss relief and statue here at the World Scouting Museum in Charleston, WV. Read more below to learn about our efforts to bring a copy of this memorial to view at the World Scouting Museum.

The Meeting of an American and Japanese Scout on Bougainville Island during WWII

Transcribed from the photo above, with edits made for clarity and reading flow.

This statue is a memorial to a true story of a fierce battle in World War II that took place on Bougainville Island in the South Pacific. An American soldier was seriously wounded in his left leg, and he was unable to walk. After a long while, as he lay on the sand, he heard someone approaching him. When he opened his eyes, he saw a Japanese soldier standing over him with a bayonet attached to his rifle. The American thought that he was going to be killed by the Japanese soldier, and he fainted. After a while, he woke up. He was surprised that he was still alive. His left leg was bandaged, and he found a note in the sand by his side. It was written in Japanese. The American put the paper in his pocket and continued to pray for a rescue. Later, he was found by fellow Marines and evacuated to a field hospital. The physician treating him could read Japanese, so the soldier showed him the note. It was a message from the Japanese Soldier which read: “When I was about to kill you, you made the three-fingered Scout salute. I, too, am a Scout. A Scout is a brother to every other Scout, so I could not kill you. I gave you first aid instead. Good luck!” The note was unsigned.

After the war, the American soldier and his father visited the Boy Scout headquarters in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and told Chief Scout Executive Arthur Schuck this story. They donated money for a memorial to the Unknown Scout Soldier to be built in Japan. They asked that their names not be revealed unless the Japanese Scout Soldier could be identified.

In 1953, the Chief Scout Executive of Japanese Scouts stopped in New Jersey on his way home from the World Conference held in Austria. When he met with Mr. Schuck, the American Executive told him this story and gave him the money. When the Japanese CSE returned home, he tried to learn the identity of the Japanese soldier, but could not do so. The Japanese Scouts and their families were so impressed and inspired by the story, however, that they too donated money for the memorial. This was used to create the statue of the Japanese Scout guarding the Monument.

In 1956, the Bronze Memorial was completed. It is not known where the Monument was originally located. Today, the Memorial is in Kodomo-no-Kuni Children’s Park in Yokohama, which was opened in 1965.

In front of the relief is a statue of a Japanese Scout who has a Tokyo Community Strip and a Second Class badge on his uniform. He is proudly saluting the two Scout Soldiers as he guards the Monument.

In 2006, the Japanese Scout Soldier was identified as Lieut. Imada. The name of the American Soldier is still unknown, but it is believed that he lived in Salt Lake City.

Our Goal: Make a Copy of the Unknown Scout Memorial for Display at the World Scouting Museum

We are looking for a Japanese OR American Company(s) to sponsor and cover the expenses for the World Scouting Museum to travel to the Children’s Park in Yokohama, Japan, and make an impression copy/3D Scan of the Unknown Scout Memorial and make a reproduction of the Memorial for display here in Charleston, WV, for the Museum. We need the following lists of costs covered for this project:

Travel & Hotel Costs for our Staff to visit the Park/Memorial and Oversee the Impression or 3D Scanning Process and return to the US
Material Costs for Impression Making and International Shipping of the Mold from Japan to WV, USA (or) 3D Scanning Equipment Rental and Technician Costs
Display Mounting Materials Costs
Manufacturing Costs for the Memorial Reproduction
Shipping Costs for the Memorial Reproduction
Costs for the Sponsorship Plaque within the display for the recognition of the Company Donation

Due to the shifting costs associated with travel and other aspects of this project, we are unable to give an accurate approximation of the cost for this Museum display, but we will give a ballpark estimate of $5,000-$30,000 for the entire completed project. If a company is interested in helping us achieve this goal, please reach out to the World Scouting Museum at wsmwvcurator@gmail.com. Companies will be given a sponsorship plaque as part of their donation, which will be placed within the display for recognition of their gift to the World Scouting Museum and Scouts that visit us.

Printings of the Unknown Scout Story in Scouting America Magazines

Below, you can view articles written about the Unknown Japanese Scout in Boy’s Life and Scouting Magazine.

**From Boys Life Magazine, February 1957**, pp. 14-15 & 71

**From Scouting Magazine, April 1958, pp. 2-3 & 24-**27

Articles from Boys Life and Scouting Magazine on the Unknown Scout Download

Check out our YouTube Channel and other Videos about this Exhibit Spotlight

Check out the Daisy Doll and Steve Scout Podcast

featuring this Exhibit Spotlight

Check out our Newsletter, which features this Exhibit Spotlight!

May 2026 Download

Sources used for the Exhibit Spotlight, Podcast, YouTube Video, and Newsletter

Note from the Article Author Alex Bennett: I have found multiple stories with different parts and pieces in each telling/retelling of the Unknown Japanese Scout. In the above sources, you can view all the different versions of the Unknown Japanese Scout story. I have written this narrative for this Exhibit Spotlight at the direction of the Executive Director, Dr. Robert Lynn Horne. That does not mean that I am certain this is the absolute truth and is exactly what happened. Due to the deadlines, it was determined to use the story as we have researched it in the past, and we will update the issue of the Newsletter, Podcast, and YouTube Video as needed to reflect as much historical accuracy as is possible. If you have concerns or information about this topic, please reach out to me at wsmwvcurator@gmail.com

Like with any oral tradition, there are differences in the telling and elements of the story. It has not been proven false or unprovable. The reality is that the details can only be confirmed by the 2 Soliders that were there. Please keep that in mind. If you know the name of the American Soldier or any other elements of this story that has changed please reach out to us and let us know.