Japanese Red Army Militant Kozo Okamoto Dies in Lebanon at 78

Kozo Okamoto, a former member of the Japanese Red Army who was involved in a deadly attack at Tel Aviv’s Lod Airport in 1972, has died in Lebanon at the age of 78. Okamoto was one of three Japanese Red Army members who carried out the suicide mission, which was aligned with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

The attack at Lod Airport, now Ben Gurion Airport, on May 30, 1972, resulted in the deaths of 26 people and injured 72 others. The perpetrators, armed with automatic rifles and grenades, emerged from a Boeing 747 that had arrived from Paris and opened fire on travelers and airport staff. Okamoto was the sole survivor of the three attackers; the other two died during the assault.

Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Okamoto was captured by Israeli forces following the attack. He was later tried and convicted for his role in the massacre. However, he was released in 1985 as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and the PFLP. Following his release, Okamoto is believed to have lived in Lebanon, where he remained until his death.

The Japanese Red Army was a militant organization founded in 1970 by Fusako Shigenobu. It advocated for a global revolution and engaged in a series of hijackings, bombings, and armed assaults in the 1970s and 1980s. The group’s activities were often carried out in conjunction with Palestinian militant factions, seeking to draw international attention to the Palestinian cause. The Lod Airport attack remains one of the most infamous acts of terrorism of that era.

Okamoto’s involvement in the 1972 attack marked him as a significant figure in the history of international terrorism. His survival and subsequent life in Lebanon, away from Japanese jurisdiction, added further layers to the complex narrative of the Japanese Red Army’s operations and their international connections. The group’s activities eventually waned in the late 1980s and 1990s, with many of its leaders apprehended or going into hiding.

The death of Kozo Okamoto closes a chapter on a period of intense geopolitical conflict and militant activity that had far-reaching global implications. The legacy of the Lod Airport attack continues to be remembered as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of politically motivated violence. The Japanese Red Army’s actions, though decades past, remain a subject of study for those examining the evolution of extremist movements and their impact on international relations.

Details surrounding Okamoto’s death in Lebanon have not been widely disseminated, but his passing at the age of 78 signifies the end of a life deeply intertwined with a violent and turbulent chapter of modern history. The events of 1972 at Lod Airport, which he helped orchestrate, left an indelible mark on the victims, their families, and the broader landscape of global security and counter-terrorism efforts.

The Japanese Red Army’s operational period spanned over two decades, during which it claimed responsibility for numerous high-profile incidents. These included the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 404 in 1977 and the siege of the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in 1975. The group’s ideology was rooted in a radical interpretation of Marxism-Leninism, combined with a fervent support for Palestinian liberation. Okamoto’s role in the Lod Airport attack was central to the group’s early notoriety.

Following his release from Israeli custody, Okamoto reportedly lived a relatively secluded life in Lebanon. He was never extradited to Japan to face charges there, a situation that highlighted the complexities of international law and extradition treaties when dealing with individuals involved in cross-border militant activities. The Lebanese authorities had reportedly granted him refuge, a stance that reflected the country’s own turbulent political history and its complex relationships with various militant groups operating within its borders during certain periods.

The impact of the Lod Airport attack extended beyond the immediate casualties. It significantly heightened security measures at airports worldwide and contributed to a global increase in anti-terrorism efforts. The incident also brought the Japanese Red Army to international prominence, forcing governments to confront the reality of transnational militant networks and their capacity to inflict widespread harm. Okamoto’s survival and subsequent life represented a lingering connection to these events.

The PFLP, with which the Japanese Red Army collaborated, was a prominent secular Palestinian nationalist and Marxist-Leninist organization founded in 1967. It was known for its militant tactics and played a significant role in the Palestinian struggle for statehood. The alliance between the PFLP and the Japanese Red Army was a strategic one, aimed at amplifying the impact of their respective causes through coordinated actions. Okamoto’s participation was a direct manifestation of this collaboration.

The passing of Kozo Okamoto at 78 years old in Lebanon brings a finality to the story of one of the key figures involved in a pivotal and tragic event in the history of terrorism. While the world has moved on to face new security challenges, the memory of the Lod Airport massacre and the individuals who carried it out, including Okamoto, remains a significant historical marker.