[2] Sakamaki's submarine became trapped on a reef off Waimanalo Beach, Oahu, as it attempted to enter Pearl Harbor.

Sakamaki made it to shore, but fell unconscious once on the beach, where he was found by a U.S. soldier, David Akui, and was taken into military custody.

After overcoming his initial depression, he resolved to continue living, and occupied his time as a POW by learning English.

While the nine other officers and sailors who had been killed during their mission were posthumously decorated and recognized as war heroes by the Imperial Japanese government, Sakamaki's name was deliberately omitted.

[6] Following his return, he received hate mail from strangers, including a letter ordering him to "immediately perform ritual suicide" and make a public apology for his shame of having been taken prisoner.

[1] Sakamaki joined the Toyota Motor Corporation, and put his English abilities to good use while managing export sales for the company.