Tomi Kōra (Japanese: 高良 とみ, Hepburn: Kōra Tomi; July 1, 1896 – January 17, 1993) was a Japanese psychologist, peace…Tomi Kōra (Japanese: 高良 とみ, Hepburn: Kōra Tomi; July 1, 1896 – January 17, 1993) was a Japanese psychologist, peace activist, and politician. She published under the name Tomiko Kōra (高良 とみ, Kōra Tomiko).
Ōnogi Hidejirō (大野木 秀次郎; 25 November 1895 – 4 March 1966) was a politician of the Liberal Party, representing Kyoto in…Ōnogi Hidejirō (大野木 秀次郎; 25 November 1895 – 4 March 1966) was a politician of the Liberal Party, representing Kyoto in the House of Councillors for four consecutive terms.
Mumeo Oku (奥 むめお, Oku Mumeo; October 24, 1895 – July 7, 1997) was an important Japanese feminist and politician who…Mumeo Oku (奥 むめお, Oku Mumeo; October 24, 1895 – July 7, 1997) was an important Japanese feminist and politician who served three terms in Japan's Imperial Diet after having been a leader in the early modern women's suffrage movement in Japan. She played an important role in various early Japanese women's rights movements, and she was a crucial part of Japan's consumer movement. She was a renowned activist in the 1920s, co-founding the New Women's Association with Hiratsuka Raichō and Ichikawa Fusae, and eventually held a seat in the House of Councilors from 1947 to 1965 when she retired.
Ken'ichi Kumagai (熊谷 憲一, Kumagai Ken'ichi; 2 October 1895 – 9 October 1956) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A…Ken'ichi Kumagai (熊谷 憲一, Kumagai Ken'ichi; 2 October 1895 – 9 October 1956) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A career official of the Home Ministry and related wartime agencies, he served as Governor of Okayama Prefecture and Yamaguchi Prefecture, as the 27th Director-General of the Hokkaidō Agency, and after the war as a member of the House of Representatives from Fukuoka 1st district.
Mikine Kuwahara (桑原幹根, Kuwahara Mikune; 29 August 1895 – 11 April 1991) was a Japanese Home Ministry government…Mikine Kuwahara (桑原幹根, Kuwahara Mikune; 29 August 1895 – 11 April 1991) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official. He was born in Yamanashi Prefecture. He was a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University. He was twice governor of Aichi Prefecture. He was a recipient of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Kōrō Sasaki (佐々木 耕郎 Sasaki Kōrō, 21 August 1895 – 1 October 1978) was a Japanese politician. He served as the mayor of…Kōrō Sasaki (佐々木 耕郎 Sasaki Kōrō, 21 August 1895 – 1 October 1978) was a Japanese politician. He served as the mayor of Nikkō in Tochigi Prefecture from 1953 to 1969, overseeing its transition to an independent municipality in 1954. During his time as mayor, he promoted the city's development as an international cultural tourist destination. He was active in social education and served as president of the Tochigi Scout Council and the Tochigi Prefecture Skating Association.
Takeo Kurusu (栗栖赳夫; 1895–1966) was a politician in Japan's Democratic Party. He served in various political and…Takeo Kurusu (栗栖赳夫; 1895–1966) was a politician in Japan's Democratic Party. He served in various political and government offices, including the minister of finance in the cabinet led by Prime Minister Tetsu Katayama.
Asano Nagatake (7 May 1895 – 3 January 1969) was the 29th family head of the Asano clan, which ruled over Hiroshima…Asano Nagatake (7 May 1895 – 3 January 1969) was the 29th family head of the Asano clan, which ruled over Hiroshima Domain before 1871.
Kim Chun-yon (Korean: 김준연; Hanja: 金俊淵; 1895–1971) was a South Korean politician and journalist who served as the fourth…Kim Chun-yon (Korean: 김준연; Hanja: 金俊淵; 1895–1971) was a South Korean politician and journalist who served as the fourth minister of justice for South Korea from November 23, 1950, to May 6, 1951.
Wang Mo (traditional Chinese: 王謨; simplified Chinese: 王谟; pinyin: Wáng Mó; Wade-Giles: Wang Mo) (1895 – 1958) was a…Wang Mo (traditional Chinese: 王謨; simplified Chinese: 王谟; pinyin: Wáng Mó; Wade-Giles: Wang Mo) (1895 – 1958) was a Chinese politician and educator. He was an important politician during the Wang Jingwei regime (Republic of China-Nanjing).
Tama Morita (森田 たま, Morita Tama; 19 December 1894 - 31 October 1970) was a Japanese essayist whose books were quite…Tama Morita (森田 たま, Morita Tama; 19 December 1894 - 31 October 1970) was a Japanese essayist whose books were quite popular in Japan around World War II. She later served as a member of the House of Councillors in 1962.
Chang Tŏksu (Korean: 장덕수; Hanja: 張德秀; December 10, 1894 – December 2, 1947) was a Korean politician, independence…Chang Tŏksu (Korean: 장덕수; Hanja: 張德秀; December 10, 1894 – December 2, 1947) was a Korean politician, independence activist, journalist, and political scientist. He was the first editor-in-chief of the Dong-A Ilbo. He was the founder and second head of the Korea Democratic Party from 1945 to 1947. Chang studied at Waseda University in Japan, where he became a leader of the Korean students' independence movement between 1914 and 1918. He was assassinated by the right-wing terrorist group the White Shirts Society in 1947. The 10 suspects were charged with murder in a South Korean court, but the case was later transferred to an American military tribunal after right-wing Korean youths intimidated the courts. All of the defendants were found guilty, with 8 being sentenced to death by hanging and the other two to 10 years in prison each. After reviewing the case, U.S. Army General John R. Hodge confirmed two of the death sentences of Park Gwang-ok and Bae Hee-beom, who were viewed as the ringleaders, but reduced the other six death sentences to prison terms. Four of the death sentences were reduced to life in prison, and the other two to 10 years each. Hodge also reduced the 10-year sentences to five years each. Park Gwang-ok and Bae Hee-beom were both executed after the Korean War began. Another convict, Kim Seok-hwang, was later captured and executed by the North's Korean People's Army.
Iwao Yamazaki (山崎巌, Yamazaki Iwao; 16 September 1894 – 26 June 1968) was a lawyer, politician and cabinet minister in…Iwao Yamazaki (山崎巌, Yamazaki Iwao; 16 September 1894 – 26 June 1968) was a lawyer, politician and cabinet minister in the early Shōwa period of Japan. His brother, Tatsunosuke Yamazaki was also a politician and cabinet minister, and his nephew Heihachiro Yamazaki was later a prominent member of the post-war Liberal-Democratic Party.
Kyuichi Tokuda (徳田 球一, Tokuda Kyūichi; September 12, 1894 – October 14, 1953) was a Japanese politician and first…Kyuichi Tokuda (徳田 球一, Tokuda Kyūichi; September 12, 1894 – October 14, 1953) was a Japanese politician and first chairman of the Japanese Communist Party from 1945 until his death in 1953.
Shinzō Ōya (大屋 晋三, Ōya Shinzō; 5 July 1894 – 9 March 1980) was an entrepreneur and politician, who served as Minister…Shinzō Ōya (大屋 晋三, Ōya Shinzō; 5 July 1894 – 9 March 1980) was an entrepreneur and politician, who served as Minister of Commerce and Industry in post-war Japan. Ōya was born in what is now part of the town of Meiwa in Gunma Prefecture, where his father was a high school principal and his grandfather had been a samurai in the service of Kawagoe Domain. He graduated from what later became Hitotsubashi University in 1918. On graduation he joined the zaibatsu Suzuki Shoten, and from 1925 went to work for Teijin, eventually becoming its president in November 1945. In his early career, he was praised as a charismatic manager, who introduced new synthetic fibers which made Teijin a market leader in the fabric industry. However, he later was criticized for over-diversification, and for his refusal to surrender authority over the company despite his obvious mental decline in old age, which led Teijin to the brink of bankruptcy. In 1947, Ōya was elected to a seat in the Diet of Japan in 1947 Upper House election from the Osaka electoral district, and was reelected for a second term, serving until June 1956 under Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) banner. From 19 October 1948 – 16 February 1949, he was Minister of Commerce and Industry under the 2nd Shigeru Yoshida administration, as well as interim Minister of Finance from 14 December 1948 to 16 February 1949. During the 3rd Yoshida administration, Ōya served as Minister of Transport from 16 February 1949 to 28 June 1950. Ōya was married to the singer and writer Masako Ōya.
Kim Do-yeon (Korean: 김도연; Hanja: 金度演; June 6, 1894 – April 19, 1967) was a Korean independence activist, politician and…Kim Do-yeon (Korean: 김도연; Hanja: 金度演; June 6, 1894 – April 19, 1967) was a Korean independence activist, politician and member of the cabinet.
Kan Abe (安倍 寛, Abe Kan; 29 April 1894 – 30 January 1946) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of…Kan Abe (安倍 寛, Abe Kan; 29 April 1894 – 30 January 1946) was a Japanese politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1937 to 1946. A member of the Satō–Kishi–Abe family, he was the father of former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe and the grandfather of former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Eikichi Minato (湊栄吉, Minato Eikichi) was a Japanese politician. He served three terms as Mayor of Toyama City in Japan…Eikichi Minato (湊栄吉, Minato Eikichi) was a Japanese politician. He served three terms as Mayor of Toyama City in Japan from 1959 to 1971.
Hiroo Ōhara (大原 博夫, Ōhara Hiroo; 15 March 1894 – 20 March 1971) was the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 1951 to…Hiroo Ōhara (大原 博夫, Ōhara Hiroo; 15 March 1894 – 20 March 1971) was the Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 1951 to 1962.
Genki Abe (安倍源基, Abe Genki; 14 February 1894 – 8 October 1989) was a lawyer, police bureaucrat and cabinet minister in…Genki Abe (安倍源基, Abe Genki; 14 February 1894 – 8 October 1989) was a lawyer, police bureaucrat and cabinet minister in early Shōwa era Japan.
Paek Nam-un (Korean: 백남운; 11 February 1894 – 12 June 1979) was a Korean economist, educator, and political activist…Paek Nam-un (Korean: 백남운; 11 February 1894 – 12 June 1979) was a Korean economist, educator, and political activist during the Japanese colonial period and later a politician in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. As a professor of economics at Yeonhee College, he was a leading socialist theorist and applied Marxist principles to Korean history to counter the official narrative of the Japanese colonial government. Along with his colleague Lee Soon-Tak, he was a prominent figure among anti-colonial intellectuals. After Korea's liberation in 1945, Paek became a leader in the Nam Joseon New Democratic Party and advocated for a "New Democracy" through a broad "National Unification Front" that would unite various political parties and social classes. In April 1948, Paek traveled to North Korea for a unification conference and remained there permanently. He subsequently held several high-ranking posts in the new government, serving as North Korea's first Minister of Education from 1948 to 1956 and later as Chairman of the Supreme People's Assembly from 1967 to 1972.
Senkichi Awaya (粟屋 仙吉, Awaya Senkichi; 7 November 1893 – 6 August 1945) was a Japanese public official who was killed…Senkichi Awaya (粟屋 仙吉, Awaya Senkichi; 7 November 1893 – 6 August 1945) was a Japanese public official who was killed by the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima while he was its mayor. He was one of the key figures in the historic clash between the Japanese police and the Imperial Japanese Army in 1933. He is also known for his Christian activity in the Nonchurch movement and his close relationship with its early leaders.
Chang Taek-sang (Korean: 장택상; October 22, 1893 – August 1, 1969), also spelled Jang Taek-sang, was a Korean…Chang Taek-sang (Korean: 장택상; October 22, 1893 – August 1, 1969), also spelled Jang Taek-sang, was a Korean independence activist and South Korean policeman and politician. He was the prime minister of South Korea and Minister of Foreign Affairs. His art name was Changrang.
Hisato Ichimada (一萬田 尚登, Ichimada Hisato; 12 August 1893 – 22 January 1984) was a Japanese banker and politician who…Hisato Ichimada (一萬田 尚登, Ichimada Hisato; 12 August 1893 – 22 January 1984) was a Japanese banker and politician who served as Minister of Finance from 1954 to 1956 and 1957 to 1958, and as Governor of the Bank of Japan from 1946 to 1954. Ichimada was an important figure in the post-war revival of the Japanese economy.
Yoshio Mochinaga (持永 義夫, Mochinaga Yoshio; 4 June 1893 – 31 August 1979) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A…Yoshio Mochinaga (持永 義夫, Mochinaga Yoshio; 4 June 1893 – 31 August 1979) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician. A career official of the Home Ministry and later the Ministry of Health and Welfare, he served as Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Mie Prefecture, and Hyōgo Prefecture, as the 28th Director-General of the Hokkaidō Agency, and after the war as a member of the House of Representatives from Miyazaki 2nd district.
Ichikawa Fusae (市川 房枝; May 15, 1893 – February 11, 1981) was a Japanese feminist, politician and a leader of the…Ichikawa Fusae (市川 房枝; May 15, 1893 – February 11, 1981) was a Japanese feminist, politician and a leader of the women's suffrage movement. Ichikawa was a key supporter of women's suffrage in Japan, and her activism was partially responsible for the extension of the franchise to women in 1945.
Mitsu Kōro (Japanese: 紅露みつ; 10 May 1893 – 28 December 1980) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group…Mitsu Kōro (Japanese: 紅露みつ; 10 May 1893 – 28 December 1980) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946. Aside from a brief spell in 1947, she served continuously in parliament until 1968.
Mosaburō Suzuki (鈴木 茂三郎, Suzuki Mosaburō; February 7, 1893 – May 7, 1970) was a Japanese journalist, essayist, and…Mosaburō Suzuki (鈴木 茂三郎, Suzuki Mosaburō; February 7, 1893 – May 7, 1970) was a Japanese journalist, essayist, and socialist politician who served nine terms in the House of Representatives. He was the first chairman of the Left Socialist Party of Japan (1951–1955) and later the second chairman of the reunified Japan Socialist Party (1955–1960). Born into poverty in Gamagōri, Aichi, Suzuki worked various odd jobs before graduating from Waseda University in 1916. As a newspaper reporter he covered the Siberian Intervention, an experience that reinforced his lifelong opposition to militarism. In the interwar period he became a leading figure in the proletarian movement, joined the newly founded Japanese Communist Party in 1922, helped organize several left-wing parties, and was repeatedly arrested under the Peace Preservation Law, including during the Popular Front Incident of 1937. He spent the war years in prison without trial. After Japan's surrender, he helped found the Japan Socialist Party. He was elected to the Diet in 1946 and became party secretary in 1949. When the party split over the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951, he became the first chairman of the Left Socialist Party. In his inaugural speech as its chairman he delivered the widely quoted pacifist appeal "Young men, do not take up arms. Women, do not send your husbands and children to the battlefield." After the socialists reunited in 1955 he served as chairman of the unified JSP until his resignation in 1960 following the formation of the Democratic Socialist Party. In later years he continued to push the party leftward, opposed structural-reform theories, and established a socialist library that was later donated to the Museum of Modern Japanese Literature. He retired from electoral politics before the 1967 election and died in Tokyo in 1970.
Ryōtarō Azuma (東 龍太郎, Azuma Ryōtarō; January 16, 1893 – May 26, 1983) was a Japanese physician and bureaucrat who…Ryōtarō Azuma (東 龍太郎, Azuma Ryōtarō; January 16, 1893 – May 26, 1983) was a Japanese physician and bureaucrat who served as Governor of Tokyo from 1959 to 1967. In 1950, Azuma became a member of the international Olympic Committee (IOC).
Jeong Hyeon-mo 정현모(鄭顯模), October 10, 1894 – January 1, 1965) was a Korean politician, journalist, businessman, and…Jeong Hyeon-mo 정현모(鄭顯模), October 10, 1894 – January 1, 1965) was a Korean politician, journalist, businessman, and independence activist.
Guo Moruo (November 16, 1892 – June 12, 1978), courtesy name Dingtang, was a Chinese author, poet, historian…Guo Moruo (November 16, 1892 – June 12, 1978), courtesy name Dingtang, was a Chinese author, poet, historian, archaeologist, and government official. A prominent Chinese writer in the May Fourth Movement and later in the Mao era, he was persecuted during the Cultural Revolution. The persecution led him to denounce his colleagues and his past work and demand that all of it be burned, an act for which he was labeled "shameless". He regained prominence in the 1970s and is generally well-regarded in modern China.
Baron Yoshitoki Sugitani (杉溪由言, Sugitani Yoshitoki, November 13, 1892 – May 3, 1965) was a Japanese politician and…Baron Yoshitoki Sugitani (杉溪由言, Sugitani Yoshitoki, November 13, 1892 – May 3, 1965) was a Japanese politician and nobleman. He served as a member of the House of Peers as a baron from 1932 to 1947.
Kan'ichirō Kamei (亀井 貫一郎, Kamei Kan'ichirō; 10 November 1892 – 7 April 1987) was a Japanese diplomat and politician. He…Kan'ichirō Kamei (亀井 貫一郎, Kamei Kan'ichirō; 10 November 1892 – 7 April 1987) was a Japanese diplomat and politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives affiliated with the Social Democratic Party and the Imperial Rule Assistance Association. He also served as chairman of the foundation Seisen Gijutsu Kyōkai (聖戦技術協会; Holy War Technology Association).
Baron Masayuki Matsuda (Japanese: 松田正之; 2 November 1892 – 2 May 1976) was a Japanese politician who was Governor of the…Baron Masayuki Matsuda (Japanese: 松田正之; 2 November 1892 – 2 May 1976) was a Japanese politician who was Governor of the South Seas Mandate from 1932 to 1933. He was a graduate of Kyoto Imperial University and a relative of politician Yoriyasu Arima.
Kiyo Murashima (Japanese: 村島喜代; 6 October 1892 – 11 March 1982) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first…Kiyo Murashima (Japanese: 村島喜代; 6 October 1892 – 11 March 1982) was a Japanese politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Tatsu Tanaka (Japanese: 田中たつ; 14 August 1892 – 30 August 1985) was a Japanese midwife and politician. She was one of…Tatsu Tanaka (Japanese: 田中たつ; 14 August 1892 – 30 August 1985) was a Japanese midwife and politician. She was one of the first group of women elected to the House of Representatives in 1946.
Seiichi Ōmura (大村 清一, Ōmura Seiichi; 4 May 1892 – 24 May 1968) was a politician and bureaucrat in the early Shōwa…Seiichi Ōmura (大村 清一, Ōmura Seiichi; 4 May 1892 – 24 May 1968) was a politician and bureaucrat in the early Shōwa period Japan, who subsequently was a politician and cabinet minister in the immediate post-war era.
Naoki Hoshino (星野 直樹, Hoshino Naoki; 10 April 1892 – 26 January 1978) was a Japanese politician who served as Chief…Naoki Hoshino (星野 直樹, Hoshino Naoki; 10 April 1892 – 26 January 1978) was a Japanese politician who served as Chief Cabinet Secretary under Prime Minister Hideki Tojo from 1941 to 1944. He served in the Ministry of Finance during the Taishō and early Shōwa period, and was a senior official in the Empire of Manchukuo. After World War II he was prosecuted for war crimes by the International Military Tribunal of the Far East and sentenced to life imprisonment, but he was released in 1958.
Sanzō Nosaka (野坂 参三, Nosaka Sanzō; March 30, 1892 – November 14, 1993) was a Japanese writer, editor, labor organizer…Sanzō Nosaka (野坂 参三, Nosaka Sanzō; March 30, 1892 – November 14, 1993) was a Japanese writer, editor, labor organizer, communist agent, politician, and university professor and a founder of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). He was the son of a wealthy Japanese merchant, and attended Keio University. While in university, Nosaka became interested in social movements, and joined a moderate labor organization after graduation, working as a research staff member, and as a writer and editor of the organization's magazine. He traveled to Britain in 1919 to study political economy, where he deepened his studies of Marxism and became a confirmed communist. Nosaka was a founding member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, but his activity within British communist circles led to him being deported from Britain in 1921. After leaving Britain, Nosaka traveled through the Soviet Union (USSR). He returned to Japan in 1922, where he co-founded the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). Nosaka became a labor organizer, but was arrested twice by the Japanese government for his activities. After being released from prison a second time, Nosaka secretly returned to the USSR in 1931, where he became an agent of the Comintern. He traveled to the West Coast of the United States, where he worked as a spy from 1934 to 1938. After leaving the United States, Nosaka worked in China from 1940 to 1945, supporting the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by encouraging and recruiting captured Japanese soldiers to support and fight for the Chinese communists against the Imperial Japanese Army, and coordinating a spy network that operated throughout Japanese-occupied China. After the end of the Second World War in 1945, Nosaka returned to Japan with hundreds of other Japanese communists, where he led the JCP during the occupation by the Allies. Nosaka attempted to brand the JCP as a "lovable" populist party supporting Japan's peaceful transition to socialism, but his strategy was criticized within the party and within the Soviet Union. During the Korean War the JCP temporarily endorsed violence, and Nosaka disappeared from public life and went underground. He re-emerged to lead the JCP again in 1955, after which he attempted to disrupt the US-Japan Security Treaty by organizing public demonstrations, but he generally supported the JCP's role as a peaceful party. In 1958 Nosaka became Chairman of the JCP, a position he held until retirement at the age of 90, after which he was declared Honorary Chairman. Nosaka joined the faculty of Keio University, and he was widely idolized among left-wing intellectuals until shortly before his death, when the fall of the Soviet Union exposed controversial aspects of his relationship with Joseph Stalin's Communist regime.
Kanjū Katō (加藤 勘十 (Katō Kanjū), 25 February 1892 – 27 September 1978), also known as Kanju Kato, was a Japanese…Kanjū Katō (加藤 勘十 (Katō Kanjū), 25 February 1892 – 27 September 1978), also known as Kanju Kato, was a Japanese politician and labour activist of the Shōwa period. He served seven terms as a member of the House of Representatives for the Japan Socialist Party and was the second Minister of Labor. He was also known by the pen names Hekisui and Sotsu. A militant labour organizer active in the prewar period, he was nicknamed "Fireball Kanjū" (火の玉勘十, Hi no tama Kanjū). His elder brother was Chōichi Katō, a member of the House of Representatives for the Constitutional Democratic Party (Rikken Minseitō) and the National Alliance (Kokumin Dōmei). His wife was the women’s rights activist and politician Shidzue Katō; the couple were known as the "mandarin duck Diet members" (おしどり議員, oshidori giin). Their son was Nobuyuki Katō and their daughter was Taki Katō.
Ichisho Inuma (15 February 1892 – 14 November 1982) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima…Ichisho Inuma (15 February 1892 – 14 November 1982) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from November 1938 to September 1939. He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo. He was also the governor of Saitama Prefecture (1934–1935), Shizuoka Prefecture (1937–1938) and Kanagawa Prefecture (1939–1940). He was appointed as a member of the House of Peers by Imperial decree on 12 March 1946.
Masao Kanai (金井 正夫, Kanai Masao; 14 February 1892 - 4 October 1979) was a Japanese judge, attorney and politician. He…Masao Kanai (金井 正夫, Kanai Masao; 14 February 1892 - 4 October 1979) was a Japanese judge, attorney and politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives for four consecutive terms from 1932 to 1945 and served as the 35th governor of Wakayama Prefecture in 1946. He is known for his strategic leadership role in the Amami reversion movement.
Miyagi Tamayo (宮城タマヨ, Miyagi Tamayo; 1 February 1892 – 19 November 1960), née Ueda (植田, Ueda), was a Japanese social…Miyagi Tamayo (宮城タマヨ, Miyagi Tamayo; 1 February 1892 – 19 November 1960), née Ueda (植田, Ueda), was a Japanese social worker and politician who was a member of the House of Councillors.
Shigeo Ōdachi (大達 茂雄, Ōdachi Shigeo; 5 January 1892 – 25 September 1955) was a bureaucrat, politician and cabinet…Shigeo Ōdachi (大達 茂雄, Ōdachi Shigeo; 5 January 1892 – 25 September 1955) was a bureaucrat, politician and cabinet minister in both early Shōwa period Japan and in the post-war era.
Hiroya Ino (井野 碩哉, Ino Hiroya; December 12, 1891 – May 19, 1980) was a Japanese politician who served one term as a…Hiroya Ino (井野 碩哉, Ino Hiroya; December 12, 1891 – May 19, 1980) was a Japanese politician who served one term as a member of the Lower House of the National Diet during World War II, and three terms as a member of the House of Councillors in the postwar period. He also held cabinet-level posts three times.
Aikawa Katsuroku (Japanese: 相川 勝六) (1891–1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was…Aikawa Katsuroku (Japanese: 相川 勝六) (1891–1973) was a Japanese Home Ministry government official and politician. He was born in Saga Prefecture. He graduated from the University of Tokyo. He was Governor of Miyazaki Prefecture (1937–1939), Hiroshima (1939–1941), Aichi Prefecture (1941–1942) and Ehime Prefecture (1943–1944). He was minister of health and welfare in the Government of Japan (1945).
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.
Hisashi Asō (麻生 久, Asō Hisashi; 24 May 1891 – 6 September 1940), pen name Asayama Kaikei (麻山 改介), was a Japanese…Hisashi Asō (麻生 久, Asō Hisashi; 24 May 1891 – 6 September 1940), pen name Asayama Kaikei (麻山 改介), was a Japanese socialist politician and trade unionist active in the Taishō and early Shōwa periods. A graduate of Tokyo Imperial University, he rose in the labour movement through the Yūaikai and as founder of the All Japan Miners' Federation, leading major strikes before helping establish successive centrist proletarian parties. He served as secretary-general and later chairman of the Social Mass Party (Shakai Taishūtō), was elected to the House of Representatives for Tokyo's 5th district in 1936 and 1937, and subsequently advocated collaboration with right-wing renovationist elements and the military, dissolving the party in July 1940 to support Fumimaro Konoe's New Order movement. He was a mentor to Inejirō Asanuma, the future chairman of the Japan Socialist Party.
