11 Facts About Suzuki Keiji

Suzuki Keiji was a Japanese army intelligence officer during the Second World War.

Suzuki Keiji subsequently attended the General Staff College and in 1929 began clandestine operations in the Philippines.

Suzuki Keiji's main focus, in both his studies and early career, was Anglo-American affairs.

Suzuki Keiji was closely connected with the Thakins, a nationalist group of students and labourers.

Suzuki Keiji worked on Hainan Island for six months in 1941, training the Thirty Comrades in preparation for the Japanese invasion of Burma.

In 1941, Japanese Imperial general Headquarters authorised Suzuki Keiji to create a Burmese military force under Japanese authority.

Suzuki Keiji drew together the Thirty Comrades, a group of independence fighters which included Aung San, Ne Win and Bo Let Ya.

Suzuki Keiji orchestrated Suzuki's recall to Japan, and the Burmese Independence Army was reorganised and placed under the direction of Aung San.

Suzuki Keiji returned to Tokyo, and for the rest of the war fulfilled the duties of his official role as Head of Shipping by overseeing transport and logistics.

Suzuki Keiji's chosen Burmese name, Bo Mogyo, was a reference to the thunderbolt which Burmese folk tradition held would destroy the "umbrella".

Suzuki Keiji engaged in a blood-drinking ceremony of comradeship with his companions.