In 1942, during World War II, Hatta was assigned to a conduct a survey of irrigation systems in the Philippines. He died on the way there when his ship was sunk by American bombers. His body was cremated and his ashes were brought back to Wushantou, which became his final resting place.
1942 年二次大戰後期，八田被派往太平洋戰區中的新佔領地菲律賓進行灌溉工程調查，他所搭乘的「大丸號」在航行途中不幸遭美軍炸沈罹難，遺體火化後長眠於他一生心血所繫的烏山頭。