There has always been a question of whether or not Japanese Ninjas were used in WW2 and until recently there was little evidence to prove so. But in 2012 documents came to light that prove that there were Ninjas used during the conflict. They were taught by the IJA for intelligence gathering with less emphasis on Ninjutsu and weapons, assassination attempts and sabotage, and more emphasis on infiltration and spying. As such, the modern Ninja of WW2 was taught 3 languages (Chinese, English, and Russian), topography, military science and history, and photography. Courses in Ninjutsu were also mandatory as well as weapons training and bomb-making, but these were secondary skills. Ninjas operated dispersed in occupied areas and gathered intel for the IJA. No official units were designated no symbology, no special weapons. Some fought on islands dressed as IJA soldiers and carried an Arisaka rifle but never fired a shot. They removed the bayonet and used it to jump American foxholes and kill silently. The Marines were particular targets and so were ordered to stay in their foxholes at night and fight. Orders were given to shoot anyone outside of their foxhole and many friendly fire incidents happened when Marines heard scuffles and screams and left to join in. They were shot down by their own men and this was covered -up. On the home islands it was a different story as tens of thousands of volunteers wanted to be trained as Ninjas for guerilla warfare and to don the black traditional garb again and use their historic weapons. Due to the A-bomb and surrender, this never materialized. Those few thousand accepted put on white martial arts clothing to be allowed to practice in the open seemingly "non-violent" martial arts and meditation during the occupation. Later, when Japan established a Self-Defense force it has been rumored for decades that a new Ninja unit is operating as secret HRU and spy network. During the embassy crisis in S America, Japan wanted to use this unit and was refused. So tales of the "Whispering Wind" continue.

* Rikugan Nakano Gakko, Imperial Japanese Army
** 2320 with thousands of 1945 volunteers in training
Although the Ninjas seemed to accomplish little in WW2, there are many Marine families that have been lied to about the deaths of their loved ones in battle. Many were killed by their own troops in friendly fire incidents caused by the Ninjas. The extent of Ninja spying and the IJA processing of that information is still unknown.