'Japan soldiers' found in jungle
Japanese officials are investigating claims that two men living in jungle in the Philippines are Japanese soldiers left behind after World War II. The pair, in their 80s, were reportedly found on southern Mindanao island. The men were expected to travel to meet Japanese officials on Friday, but have yet to make contact. The claim drew comparisons with the 1974 case of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, who was found in the Philippines jungle unaware the war had ended.
Ref. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/Hi/asia-pacific/4585287.stm
I tried clicking the link, but the page has since been removed. In any case, I wouldn't doubt the validity of this story. War can have a very strong psychological effect on individuals, and if these men were fleeing for their lives, and thought they were safe by hiding in the jungle, then why would they try venturing out of it? The question I have is whether they had any contact with the natives and whether they simply were not informed that the war had ended or chose not to believe such a story if they were told.
Another speculation is that they probably committed mutiny and were ashamed (as honor is very important in Japan) or maybe they knew the war was over, but for some reason felt jungle life was better.