The approach of 1945 was greeted bleakly by the Empire of the Rising Sun. The most important outposts on the Pacific islands were lost, and the noose of the blockade tightened its grip on the vital arteries of the nation. But, although hunger and lack of basic necessities depleted strength, the samurai spirit was still strong: squads of kaiten (human torpedoes) and kamikazes accepted more and more new volunteers. This spirit was tested: bombs from B-29s tormented cities. Another blow was struck at sea: on November 28, 1944, the giant Shinano was sunk by the American submarine Archerfish off the very coast of the empire.