William. Taniguchi Musuo (谷口睦生) is being honored with a statue in his hometown of Yatsushiro. Taniguchi was a talented sprinter in the 200 and 400 meters who competed in the Berlin Olympics (he didn’t medal but competed admirably). Upon returning to Japan, he was soon drafted and sent to Bougainville in the Solomon Islands just as the US was beginning its counteroffensive. His ship was sunk, he along with it. A friend of his said, “Perhaps he had doubts about the war because he participated in the Olympics and fostered friendship across countries. Had it not been for war, he would have been a good track and field leader.” Reminds me a bit of the movie “Chariots of Fire.” Let us be thankful that we are in no danger of being drafted - for the moment. The article is a good read; some tricky words are translated below.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/418465 双璧 （そうへき）= two greatest authorities 翻弄 （ほんろう）= trifling with 散った （散る、ちる）= died 召集される（しょうしゅう）= be drafted