He also used native plants to make clothes, bedding, and storage implements, which he carefully hid in his cave.

[2] On the evening of 24 January 1972, Yokoi was discovered by two local men checking shrimp traps along a small river on Talofofo.

[1] Yokoi later said that he expected the local men to kill him at first but was surprised when instead they allowed him to eat hot soup at their home before turning him over to the authorities.

He was in relatively good health, but slightly anemic due to a lack of salt in his diet, according to doctors at Guam Memorial Hospital.

[5] He had known since 1952 that World War II had ended[6][7] but feared coming out of hiding, explaining: "We Japanese soldiers were told to prefer death to the disgrace of getting captured alive.

Although he never met Emperor Shōwa, while visiting the grounds of the Imperial Palace, Yokoi said, "Your Majesties, I have returned home ...