Keisuke Yoshiki

Yoshiki is a Japanese soldier stationed on Peleliu during World War II. He holds the rank of Army Superior Private, as Tamaru addresses him as “Yoshiki-jōtōhei.” He is later promoted to squad leader, after which the men address him as “buntaichō-dono” rather than by rank. He serves in Second Lieutenant Shimada’s platoon, confirmed when other soldiers describe Yoshiki and Tamaru as having served directly under Shimada; Shimada identifies himself as an officer of the Second Battalion. Before being drafted, Yoshiki came from a rice-farming family, which he states himself. His hometown is Tamamura in Tsukuba. He also explains that he had never handled a firearm before joining the army, despite displaying exceptional marksmanship during the fighting. Yoshiki is practical, courageous, and deeply loyal to his comrades. He saves Tamaru and other soldiers during the western-beach fighting. Afterward, he rejects the idea of dying meaninglessly and urges Tamaru to survive with him. He is not fearless, however, and shakes uncontrollably when facing an American tank.