The expression functions as a code phrase utilized by the Imperial Japanese Navy to signal that complete surprise had been achieved during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is a three-word phrase, repeated three times, indicating the successful execution of the initial attack plan. The use of this phrase confirmed to the Japanese fleet and command that the American forces had been caught unaware, maximizing the attack’s impact.
The significance of this phrase lies in its representation of a pivotal moment in history, marking the beginning of the United States’ involvement in World War II. Its usage highlighted the element of surprise, a critical factor in the early stages of the Pacific Theater. The success it signaled emboldened the Japanese forces while simultaneously galvanizing the American public for war.
