In WWII the Allies developed a democratic notion of honor as just getting the job done, while the Axis powers upheld an honor code that revolved around leader-worship, be it for the Fuhrer, Il Duce, the Emperor or, as in the case of the Cold War, Stalin.
The kamikaze warriors of Japan, who were willing to die rather than suffer the dishonor of defeat, were defending a pre-modern code of honor the American people had come to distrust.
The elimination of that militaristic society based on an extremist honor code was what propelled America into war with Japan and possibly served as the rationale for using nuclear weapons against them.
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