Kenjiro Matsuki is a member of the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame. He was an excellent hitter and leader, captaining and later managing the Osaka Tigers. While attending Meiji University, he participated in an All-Nippon squad that faced a barnstorming team of Americans. During this 1931 Japan Tour, Matsuki played against names like Lou Gehrig, Lefty O'Doul, Mickey Cochrane, Lefty Grove, and others.
A decade later, these experiences would save Matsuki's life and the lives of many of his countrymen during the Battle of Okinawa. Matsuki and other members of the Japanese Imperial Army were recovering from injuries in a cave-turned-hospital.
With American troops getting closer each day, Matsuki saw many of his comrades turn to suicide, fearing the US soldiers would commit horrible atrocities on them otherwise. Matsuki shared his experiences with Americans, effectively convincing them that the advancing troops would not perform any such acts.
The Battle of Okinawa became the first conflict during the Pacific War where many Japanese soldiers abandoned the Imperial Army's no-surrender philosophy, avoiding untold casualties for both sides.