Aircraft ramming of Kodama Yoshio's mansion

Reasons for the attempt

The motives that drove Maeno Mitsuyasu to this desperate step have not been definitively established. The main theory is considered to be revenge by Mitsuyasu, as a fanatical nationalist, on Kodama for betraying Japan's interests through the latter's involvement in dealings with Lockheed Corporation, the exposure of which caused a political crisis in many countries and almost led to the bankruptcy of Lockheed Corporation itself. The ultranationalist community to which Maeno belonged promoted the samurai code of honour. Attention should also be paid to the manner in which the suicide was committed. Maeno performed certain ritual actions, starting with kamikaze clothing and ending with his last words on the radio before his death. An additional factor that could have led to the suicide was the unstable mental state of Maeno Mitsuyasu himself. The man was plagued by family troubles; he had managed to marry and divorce twice within a very short time, and in addition he had already made an unsuccessful suicide attempt in the past. Furthermore, according to the testimony of his female friend and work colleague, Maeno complained to her that he did not like being called a porn actor and that he wanted more meaningful achievements in his life.