I can definitely see how people would not think that this is authentic due to the lack of verifications or editorials. However, I believe that is authentic due to the specific wording and specific situations and reactions presented.

For example, when Akira Miuri was talking about Japan losing the war, he says "At first it was hush-hush. Nobody dared express his doubts" (Miuri, Terkel 205). The way that he essentially said that the idea of Japan losing was kept quiet, or, "hush-hush", is not a common phrase to say. Personally, I have heard people say "hush", but not "hush-hush".

Another example is Anton Bilek's section. When he describes a draft of a letter that one of the soldiers comes in with that is addressed to the President of the