Isoroku Yamamoto

The most important thing we have to do first of all in a war with the U.S., I firmly believe, is to fiercely attack and destroy the U.S. main fleet at the outset of the war so that the morale of the U.S. Navy and her people goes down to such an extent that it cannot be recovered.

I'm against war with the United States. But I am an officer of the Imperial Navy and a subject of His Majesty the Emperor.

Anyone who has seen the auto factories in Detroit and the oil fields in Texas knows that Japan lacks the national power for a naval race with America.

In the first six to twelve months of a war with the United States and Great Britain I will run wild and win victory upon victory. But then, if the war continues after that, I have no expectation of success.

I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.

To fight the United States is like fighting the whole world. But it has been decided. So I will fight the best I can.