Marquis Tadashige Daigo (醍醐 忠重, Daigo Tadashige; 15 October 1891 – 6 December 1947) was a vice admiral in the Imperial…Marquis Tadashige Daigo (醍醐 忠重, Daigo Tadashige; 15 October 1891 – 6 December 1947) was a vice admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.
Prince Fumimaro Konoe (近衞 文麿, Konoe Fumimaro; 12 October 1891 – 16 December 1945) was a Japanese politician who served…Prince Fumimaro Konoe (近衞 文麿, Konoe Fumimaro; 12 October 1891 – 16 December 1945) was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1937 to 1939 and from 1940 to 1941. He presided over the Japanese invasion of China in 1937 and breakdown in relations with the United States which eventually culminated in the Second World War's expansion to the Asia-Pacific theater. Konoe also played a central role in transforming Japan into a totalitarian state by pushing through the State General Mobilization Law and establishing the Imperial Rule Assistance Association. Born in Tokyo to a prominent aristocratic family, Konoe graduated from Kyoto University and took up his father's seat in the House of Peers in 1916. He was a member of the Japanese delegation at the Paris Peace Conference following World War I, and served as president of the House of Peers from 1933 to 1937. In June 1937, Konoe became prime minister of Japan on the recommendation of his mentor Saionji Kinmochi. When the Marco Polo Bridge Incident took place a month later, he oversaw an escalation of tensions with China which ultimately culminated in the Second Sino-Japanese War. During the early years of the conflict, Konoe's government presided over numerous victories against Chinese forces as well as the widespread perpetration of war crimes (including the Nanjing Massacre). In 1938, he enacted the State General Mobilization Law which massively expanded the government's control over Japanese civilians in order to place the country on a war footing. In January 1939, Konoe resigned as the Japanese military proved unable to achieve a decisive victory in China. After resigning as Japan's head of government, Konoe served as chairman of the Privy Council until being once again appointed prime minister in July 1940. Later that year, he founded the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and oversaw the signing of the Tripartite Pact with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. During his second premiership, Konoe also presided over the Japanese invasion of French Indochina, the formal recognition of Wang Jingwei's puppet government in Nanjing and the conclusion of the Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact. Despite attempting to resolve growing tensions with the United States, a rigid timetable imposed by the military on the negotiations and Konoe's own inflexibility set the two countries on the path to war. Politically isolated, Konoe resigned as premier in October 1941 and was replaced by Hideki Tojo. Six weeks later, the Pacific War broke out after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Konoe remained a close advisor to Emperor Hirohito until the end of World War II and played a key role in the fall of the Tōjō Cabinet in 1944. At the start of the Allied occupation of Japan in August 1945, he briefly served as a minister in the cabinet of Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, but came under suspicion of war crimes. On 16 December 1945, Konoe committed suicide by ingesting cyanide before he could be arrested by the authorities.
Viscount Nobutsune Oda (織田 信恒, Oda Nobutsune; 3 August 1889 – 20 May 1967) was a Japanese politician, businessman, and…Viscount Nobutsune Oda (織田 信恒, Oda Nobutsune; 3 August 1889 – 20 May 1967) was a Japanese politician, businessman, and manga author, member of the House of Peers. Under the pen name Oda Shōsei (織田 小星), he wrote the original draft and text for the manga "Shō-chan no Bōken".
Marquess Kōichi Kido (木戸 幸一, Kido Kōichi) (July 18, 1889 – April 6, 1977) was a Japanese statesman who served as Lord…Marquess Kōichi Kido (木戸 幸一, Kido Kōichi) (July 18, 1889 – April 6, 1977) was a Japanese statesman who served as Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan from 1940 to 1945, and was the closest advisor to emperor Hirohito throughout World War II. He was convicted of war crimes and sentenced to life imprisonment, of which he served 6 years before being released in 1953.
Yanagi Sōetsu (Japanese: 柳 宗悦; March 21, 1889 – May 3, 1961), also known as Yanagi Muneyoshi, was a Japanese art…Yanagi Sōetsu (Japanese: 柳 宗悦; March 21, 1889 – May 3, 1961), also known as Yanagi Muneyoshi, was a Japanese art critic, philosopher, and founder of the mingei (folk craft) movement in Japan in the late 1920s and 1930s.
Shō Shō (尚昌, Shō Shō; 17 September 1888 – 19 June 1923), was the head of the Shō family, the former Ryukyuan royal…Shō Shō (尚昌, Shō Shō; 17 September 1888 – 19 June 1923), was the head of the Shō family, the former Ryukyuan royal family, and upon his father's death in 1920, he became head of the family and inherited the title of Marquess. Like most members of the kazoku system of peerage, and all heads of the Shō family since the abolition of the Ryukyu Kingdom, he lived in Tokyo for his whole life. He died in June 1923, and was succeeded by his son, Hiroshi Shō.
Marquis Teruhisa Komatsu (小松 輝久, Komatsu Teruhisa; 12 August 1888 – 15 November 1970) was an admiral in the Imperial…Marquis Teruhisa Komatsu (小松 輝久, Komatsu Teruhisa; 12 August 1888 – 15 November 1970) was an admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. Born as HIH Kitashirakawa-no-miya Teruhisa, as the younger son of HIH Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa, his title was devolved from royal status that that of the kazoku peerage in 1910 in order to preserve the Komatsu family line, which had become extinct with the death of Prince Komatsu Akihito in 1908.
Ton Satomi (里見 弴, Satomi Ton; July 14, 1888 - January 21, 1983) is the pen-name of Japanese author Hideo Yamanouchi…Ton Satomi (里見 弴, Satomi Ton; July 14, 1888 - January 21, 1983) is the pen-name of Japanese author Hideo Yamanouchi (山内英夫, Yamanouchi Hideo). Satomi was known for the craftsmanship of his dialogue and command of the Japanese language. His two elder brothers, Ikuma Arishima and Takeo Arishima, were also authors.
Naruhiko, Prince Higashikuni (東久邇宮稔彦王, Higashikuni-no-miya Naruhiko Ō; 3 December 1887 – 20 January 1990) was a member…Naruhiko, Prince Higashikuni (東久邇宮稔彦王, Higashikuni-no-miya Naruhiko Ō; 3 December 1887 – 20 January 1990) was a member of the Japanese imperial family and general of the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) who served as the prime minister of Japan from 17 August 1945 until his resignation two months later on 9 October. He is the only member of the Japanese imperial family to head a cabinet, and Japan's shortest-serving prime minister, serving for only 54 days. Born in Kyoto, Prince Higashikuni was a son of Prince Kuni Asahiko and married Toshiko, Princess Yasu, a daughter of Emperor Meiji, thus making him an uncle-in-law of Emperor Hirohito. He graduated from the Army Academy and War College, and studied military tactics in France from 1920 to 1926. Upon his return to Japan, he was promoted to general in 1930 and held several military posts, including as commander of the General Defense Command from 1941 to 1944. Prince Higashikuni's appointment as prime minister following the war reflected a hope that his prestige as an imperial prince would help to unite the defeated country. He presided over the signing of the surrender on 2 September 1945 and the disbandment of the armed forces before resigning in opposition to an order by the Allied occupation authorities to abolish the Peace Preservation Law. He became a commoner after the abolition of the princely houses in 1947, and later formed a Buddhist sect. He is the longest-lived of Japan's premiers, dying in 1990 at the age of 102.
Prince Yasuhiko Asaka (朝香宮鳩彦王, Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko-ō; 20 October 1887 – 12 April 1981) was the founder of a…Prince Yasuhiko Asaka (朝香宮鳩彦王, Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko-ō; 20 October 1887 – 12 April 1981) was the founder of a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family and served as a general in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Japanese invasion of China and the Second World War. He was the son-in-law of Emperor Meiji and uncle by marriage of Emperor Hirohito. He is most notable for being the commander of Japanese forces outside Nanjing in December 1937, when he presided over the mass murder and rape of hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians during the Nanjing Massacre. After Japan's defeat in World War II, General Douglas MacArthur granted immunity to the country's Imperial Family. As a result, Asaka was never tried for his involvement in the Nanjing (Nanking) Massacre by SCAP authorities. Nonetheless, by 1947, he and his children were stripped of their imperial status. He later converted to Catholicism and died of natural causes at the age of 93.
Naruhisa, Prince Kitashirakawa (北白川宮成久王, Kitashirakawa-no-miya Naruhisa-ō; 18 April 1887 – 1 April 1923), was the 3rd…Naruhisa, Prince Kitashirakawa (北白川宮成久王, Kitashirakawa-no-miya Naruhisa-ō; 18 April 1887 – 1 April 1923), was the 3rd head of a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family and the husband of Fusako, Princess Kane, daughter of Emperor Meiji and Concubine Sono Sachiko.
Jin Watanabe (渡辺 仁, Watanabe Jin; 16 February 1887 – 5 September 1973), also known as Hitoshi Watanabe, was a Japanese…Jin Watanabe (渡辺 仁, Watanabe Jin; 16 February 1887 – 5 September 1973), also known as Hitoshi Watanabe, was a Japanese architect responsible for many buildings in the inter-war years.
Prince Shimazu Tadashige (島津 忠重; 20 October 1886 – 4 April 1968), was the son of Shimazu Tadayoshi and 30th head of the…Prince Shimazu Tadashige (島津 忠重; 20 October 1886 – 4 April 1968), was the son of Shimazu Tadayoshi and 30th head of the Shimazu clan. He was a naval officer, and rear admiral in the Imperial Japanese Navy. His wife was the daughter of Tokudaiji Sanetsune.
Saneatsu Mushanokōji (武者小路 実篤(實篤), Mushanokōji Saneatsu; 12 May 1885 – 9 April 1976) was a Japanese novelist…Saneatsu Mushanokōji (武者小路 実篤(實篤), Mushanokōji Saneatsu; 12 May 1885 – 9 April 1976) was a Japanese novelist, playwright, poet, artist, and philosopher active during the late Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan. Later on in life he requested that the pronunciation of his surname (as far as was concerned) be changed from the usual Mushanokōji, to Mushakōji, but without much success. He was nicknamed Musha and Futo-o by his colleagues.
Yoriyasu Arima (有馬 頼寧, Arima Yoriyasu; 17 December 1884 – 9 January 1957) was a Japanese politician before and during…Yoriyasu Arima (有馬 頼寧, Arima Yoriyasu; 17 December 1884 – 9 January 1957) was a Japanese politician before and during World War II. His wife was the daughter of Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa.
Prince Iemasa Tokugawa (徳川 家正, Tokugawa Iemasa; 23 March 1884 – 18 February 1963) also known as Iyemasa, was a Japanese…Prince Iemasa Tokugawa (徳川 家正, Tokugawa Iemasa; 23 March 1884 – 18 February 1963) also known as Iyemasa, was a Japanese political figure of the Taishō and early Shōwa periods. He was the 17th hereditary head of the former shogunal branch of the Tokugawa clan and the final President of the House of Peers in the Diet of Japan.
Naoya Shiga (志賀直哉, Shiga Naoya) Japanese pronunciation: [ɕi.ɡa (|) na(ꜜ).o.ja, ɕi.ŋa-], February 20, 1883 – October 21…Naoya Shiga (志賀直哉, Shiga Naoya) Japanese pronunciation: [ɕi.ɡa (|) na(ꜜ).o.ja, ɕi.ŋa-], February 20, 1883 – October 21, 1971 was a Japanese writer active during the Taishō and Shōwa periods of Japan, whose work was distinguished by its lucid, straightforward style and strong autobiographical overtones.
Prince Tsunehisa Takeda (竹田宮恒久王, Takeda-no-miya Tsunehisa-ō; September 22, 1882 – April 23, 1919) was the founder of…Prince Tsunehisa Takeda (竹田宮恒久王, Takeda-no-miya Tsunehisa-ō; September 22, 1882 – April 23, 1919) was the founder of the Takeda-no-miya collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Viscount Masatoshi Ōkōchi (大河内正敏, Ōkōchi Masatoshi; December 6, 1878 – August 29, 1952) was a Japanese physicist and…Viscount Masatoshi Ōkōchi (大河内正敏, Ōkōchi Masatoshi; December 6, 1878 – August 29, 1952) was a Japanese physicist and business executive. He was the third director of the Riken Institute, a position which he assumed in 1921 and held for 25 years. During this period, he was notable for establishing the Riken Konzern, a zaibatsu of companies which focused on utilizing Riken's research results to produce commercial products.
Takeo Arishima (有島 武郎, Arishima Takeo; March 4, 1878 – June 9, 1923) was a Japanese novelist, short-story writer and…Takeo Arishima (有島 武郎, Arishima Takeo; March 4, 1878 – June 9, 1923) was a Japanese novelist, short-story writer and essayist during the late Meiji and Taishō periods. His two younger brothers, Ikuma Arishima (有島生馬) and Ton Satomi (里美弴), were also authors. His son was the internationally known film and stage actor Masayuki Mori.
Morimasa, Prince Nashimoto (梨本宮守正王, Nashimoto no miya Morimasa ō; 9 March 1874 – 2 January 1951) was a member of the…Morimasa, Prince Nashimoto (梨本宮守正王, Nashimoto no miya Morimasa ō; 9 March 1874 – 2 January 1951) was a member of the Japanese Imperial Family and a field marshal in the Imperial Japanese Army. An uncle-in-law of Hirohito (Emperor Shōwa), an uncle of his consort, Empress Kōjun, and the father-in-law of Crown Prince Euimin of Korea, Prince Nashimoto was the only member of the Imperial Family arrested for war crimes during the Allied occupation of Japan following defeat in the Second World War.
Kuniyoshi, Prince Kuni (久邇宮邦彦王, Kuni-no-miya Kuniyoshi ō; 23 July 1873 – 27 January 1929) was a member of the Japanese…Kuniyoshi, Prince Kuni (久邇宮邦彦王, Kuni-no-miya Kuniyoshi ō; 23 July 1873 – 27 January 1929) was a member of the Japanese imperial family and a field marshal in the Imperial Japanese Army during the Meiji and Taishō periods. He was the father of Empress Kōjun (who in turn was the consort of the Emperor Shōwa), and therefore, the maternal grandfather of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and great-grandfather of Emperor Naruhito.
Ginnosuke Tanaka (田中 銀之助, Tanaka Ginnosuke; 20 January 1873 – 27 August 1933) is credited with the introduction of…Ginnosuke Tanaka (田中 銀之助, Tanaka Ginnosuke; 20 January 1873 – 27 August 1933) is credited with the introduction of rugby to Japan. He was educated at the Leys School in Cambridge and then Trinity Hall, a college of Cambridge University. He introduced rugby to students at Keio University, in 1899, with the help of Edward Bramwell Clarke. Later, he pursued a career in banking.
Emperor Taishō (31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926), personal name (imina) Yoshihito, was Emperor of Japan from 29 July…Emperor Taishō (31 August 1879 – 25 December 1926), personal name (imina) Yoshihito, was Emperor of Japan from 29 July 1912 until his death in 1926. His reign was marked by a domestic political shift toward liberal democracy, called Taishō Democracy. He oversaw Japan's participation in World War I on the side of the Allies, the Spanish flu epidemic, and the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923. His poor health limited his public duties and contributed to his death at age 47. Born to Emperor Meiji and his concubine Yanagiwara Naruko, Yoshihito was proclaimed crown prince and heir apparent in 1888, his two older siblings having died in infancy. He suffered various health problems as a child, including meningitis soon after his birth. In 1900, he married Sadako Kujō, a member of the Kujō family of the Fujiwara clan; the couple had four sons. In 1912, Yoshihito became emperor upon the death of his father, but as he suffered from neurological issues for much of his life, he played only a limited role in politics and undertook no official duties from 1919. His declining health led to the appointment of his eldest son, Crown Prince Hirohito, as regent in 1921, and Hirohito succeeded him as emperor when he died aged 47 at Hayama Imperial Villa in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Prince Tsuneyoshi Takeda (竹田宮恒徳王, Takeda-no-miya Tsuneyoshi-ō; 4 March 1909 – 11 May 1992) was the second and last heir…Prince Tsuneyoshi Takeda (竹田宮恒徳王, Takeda-no-miya Tsuneyoshi-ō; 4 March 1909 – 11 May 1992) was the second and last heir of the Takeda-no-miya collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family.
Kimitake Hiraoka (平岡 公威, Hiraoka Kimitake; 14 January 1925 – 25 November 1970), known by his pen name Yukio Mishima (三島…Kimitake Hiraoka (平岡 公威, Hiraoka Kimitake; 14 January 1925 – 25 November 1970), known by his pen name Yukio Mishima (三島 由紀夫, Mishima Yukio), was a Japanese novelist, playwright, short story writer, actor, martial artist, model, and the leader of an attempted coup d'état that culminated in his seppuku. He is considered one of the most important postwar stylists of the Japanese language. Mishima was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times in the 1960s—including in 1968 when the award went to his countryman and benefactor Yasunari Kawabata. Mishima's works include the novels Confessions of a Mask and The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, and the autobiographical essay Sun and Steel. Mishima's work is characterized by "its luxurious vocabulary and decadent metaphors, its fusion of traditional Japanese and modern Western literary styles, and its obsessive assertions of the unity of beauty, eroticism, and death," according to the author Andrew Rankin. Mishima's political activities made him a controversial figure; he remains so in Japan to the present day. From his mid-30s onwards, Mishima's far-right ideology and reactionary beliefs became increasingly evident. He extolled the traditional culture and spirit of Japan, and opposed what he saw as Western-style materialism, along with Japan's postwar democracy, globalism, and communism, worrying that by embracing these ideas the Japanese people would lose their "national essence" (kokutai) and distinctive cultural heritage to become a "rootless" people. In 1968, Mishima formed the Tatenokai ("Shield Society"), a private militia, for the purpose of protecting the dignity of the emperor as a symbol of national identity. The Tatenokai are interpreted by scholars as attempting to reclaim Japan's prewar values of loyalty. Yukio Mishima believed the traditions that made Japan great had been weakened by postwar Japan. Although the Tatenokai were legally allowed in postwar Japan, their ideology directly opposed the newfound pacifism that was adopted. On 25 November 1970, Mishima and four members of his militia entered a military base in central Tokyo, took its commandant hostage, and unsuccessfully tried to inspire the Japan Self-Defense Forces to rise up and overthrow Article 9 of the 1947 Constitution to restore autonomous national defense and the divinity of the emperor. The incident ended with Mishima's suicide by seppuku, which had been planned.
Kiichirō Hatoyama (鳩山 紀一郎, Hatoyama Kiichirō; born 26 July 1976) is a Japanese academic and politician. He was a member…Kiichirō Hatoyama (鳩山 紀一郎, Hatoyama Kiichirō; born 26 July 1976) is a Japanese academic and politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 2024 to 2026.