(3 of 3)
Led by their company commanders, the repatriates marched onto the platform singing the Internationale. Black-capped students rushed alongside to exchange greetings and slogans. As a crowd of 10,000 gathered before the speakers' stand, a succession of screaming Communist orators warned of the dangers of a capitalist society. From the roof of a nearby building, pudgy little doshi (girl comrades) waved red flags bearing the slogan, "Welcome to the returning heroes who will guard the independence of the motherland."
U.S. occupation officers on the spot cursed and gritted their teeth over the "inefficiency" of the Japanese authorities, who had bungled the reception. Said one: "Sure we'd like to stop it, but what can you do with a directive?"
The Communists were happy. For the repatriates it was reassuring to cheer banzai once more, to see hundreds of flags waving overhead in the light summer breeze. In fact, Kyoto station didn't seem different from the time they had last left it.