The delay at the rendezvous had resulted in clouds and drifting smoke from fires started by a major firebombing raid by 224 B-29s on nearby Yawata the previous day covering 70% of the area over Kokura, obscuring the aiming point.
Shionada-shuku is located on the eastern bank of the Shinano River, just across from Yawata-shuku.
The city was founded on November 1, 1977 and currently has a sister city in Milan, Ohio
The Japanese city of Yawata (which was incorporated into the larger city of Kitakyushu in 1963) was subjected to three major air raids during World War II.
Born in Kyoto, Hayakari attended Kyoto Yawata High School and later graduated from Doshisha University with a degree in business studies.