Pearl Harbor Still Holds a Few Mysteries-- Part 2: Major Tomura

2.  ONE JAPANESE COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER CHANGED THE WORLD FOREVER.

  Communications between Japan and United States at this serious stage were handled over the wireless telegraph.

FDR sent a cable December 6 to Emperor Showa in hopes of "dispelling the dark clouds" of war due to the two countries' long-standing peace and friendship.  In Tokyo, Major Morio Tomura, at the Tokyo cable office, delayed the message ten hours believing that war was Japan's only destiny.

When FDR's cable arrived, Japan already had its 14-part cable ready announcing the end of the negotiations.  The same Major Tomura delayed this cable as well and it didn't arrive until nearly two hours after the attack.

Thanks a Lot Major Tomura.  --GreGen